Nori Muster, MS, is the author of Betrayal of the Spirit: My Life Behind
the Headlines of the Hare Krishna Movement (University of Illinois Press,
1997) Cult Survivors Handbook: Seven Paths to an Authentic Life (2000)
and Child of the Cult (2010). During her years in ISKCON (1978–1988),
she was part of the organization’s public-relations effort known as the
ISKCON Communications Ministry, and was an associate editor of the
ISKCON World Review. Websites: surrealist.org, norimuster.com n
Dear Friends,
As cultic-studies researchers, we have witnessed the worst of human behavior—from
immaturity to outright cruelty. Whether it is intentional or through neglect, interpersonal
abuse is the tragedy of cultic behavior. In this issue of ICSA Today, we present the highs and
lows of the cultic experience.
Nancy Miquelon considers the American government’s genocidal treatment of Native
Americans in terms of Robert Lifton and Margaret Singer’s foundational discussions of cults.
In Phoenix where I live, the Bureau of Indian Affairs operated one of the many boarding
schools designed to purge Native Children of their heritage from 1891 until the federal
government closed the school down in 1990. Reading this article made me aware of the pain
that undoubtedly took place in the school.
Joseph Szimhart analyzes the new cult that has formed around ayahuasca, a powerful
psychedelic drug from South America. Prophets of the drug, styling themselves as modern
shamans, or healers, promote psychedelic experiences, much as Timothy Leary did in the
1960s. However, like LSD, which has shown therapeutic potential in clinical trials, casual
experimentation with ayahuasca leads some to enlightenment, and others into psychosis.
The memoir Greetings from Utopia Park by Claire Hoffman portrays the less tragic side of the
cultic experience. Reviewer Gina Catena explains that, like herself, Hoffman grew up in the
Transcendental Meditation (TM) organization. But though both women suffered parental
neglect and witnessed mysterious deaths and sexual abuse, Hoffman, now a successful
journalist, professor, wife, and mother, remains sympathetic, and her memoir is more an
unconventional coming-of-age story than a denunciation of TM.
“Cleansing Ritual” by Mary O’Connell brings together the dark and the light as the writer
takes us along on her journey of healing after 20 years in Soka Gakkai International (SGI). I too
was drawn into this group in the 1960s but never became deeply involved. My first cousin,
however, became heavily involved with SGI and psychedelics, fell into schizophrenia, and
ultimately committed suicide. Claire Hoffman and many of us left our cultic groups with a
measure of harm we could attempt to heal. Not everyone is so lucky.
Sincerely,
Nori Muster
About ICSA Today
ICSA Today (IT) serves ICSA members by
providing information that enhances
understanding of all aspects of the cult
phenomenon, including how groups
function, how they affect members,
techniques of influence, dealing with
harmful effects, educational and legal
implications, and other subjects.
ICSA Today issues may include
• practical articles for former
members, families, helping
professionals, researchers,
and others
• opinion essays
• theoretical articles
• reports on research
• summaries of news reports on
groups
• information on books, articles, links
• information on ICSA members
• biographical profiles on selected
members
• personal accounts
• art work
• poetry
• short stories and other literary
articles
• special reports from correspondents
around the world
ICSA Today is published three times a
year.
Regular ICSA members receive the print
edition of ICSA Today and have access
to its Web edition. Students and other
special members gain access to the
online edition only.
Nonmember print subscriptions are
available. Submissions to the magazine
should be sent to the Editor-in-Chief,
Michael Langone, PhD:
mail@icsamail.com
We prefer Microsoft Word or a program
compatible with Word. Articles should
be no more than 2,500 words. Please
include a jpeg photo (no less than 360
dpi) and biographical sketch (less than
150 words) with your submission.
Appropriate submissions are reviewed
by the relevant section editor and,
when appropriate, editorial review
advisors.
International Cultic Studies Association
P.O. Box 2265 • Bonita Springs, FL 34133
Phone: 239.514.3081
Email: mail@icsamail.com
Website: icsahome.com
the Headlines of the Hare Krishna Movement (University of Illinois Press,
1997) Cult Survivors Handbook: Seven Paths to an Authentic Life (2000)
and Child of the Cult (2010). During her years in ISKCON (1978–1988),
she was part of the organization’s public-relations effort known as the
ISKCON Communications Ministry, and was an associate editor of the
ISKCON World Review. Websites: surrealist.org, norimuster.com n
Dear Friends,
As cultic-studies researchers, we have witnessed the worst of human behavior—from
immaturity to outright cruelty. Whether it is intentional or through neglect, interpersonal
abuse is the tragedy of cultic behavior. In this issue of ICSA Today, we present the highs and
lows of the cultic experience.
Nancy Miquelon considers the American government’s genocidal treatment of Native
Americans in terms of Robert Lifton and Margaret Singer’s foundational discussions of cults.
In Phoenix where I live, the Bureau of Indian Affairs operated one of the many boarding
schools designed to purge Native Children of their heritage from 1891 until the federal
government closed the school down in 1990. Reading this article made me aware of the pain
that undoubtedly took place in the school.
Joseph Szimhart analyzes the new cult that has formed around ayahuasca, a powerful
psychedelic drug from South America. Prophets of the drug, styling themselves as modern
shamans, or healers, promote psychedelic experiences, much as Timothy Leary did in the
1960s. However, like LSD, which has shown therapeutic potential in clinical trials, casual
experimentation with ayahuasca leads some to enlightenment, and others into psychosis.
The memoir Greetings from Utopia Park by Claire Hoffman portrays the less tragic side of the
cultic experience. Reviewer Gina Catena explains that, like herself, Hoffman grew up in the
Transcendental Meditation (TM) organization. But though both women suffered parental
neglect and witnessed mysterious deaths and sexual abuse, Hoffman, now a successful
journalist, professor, wife, and mother, remains sympathetic, and her memoir is more an
unconventional coming-of-age story than a denunciation of TM.
“Cleansing Ritual” by Mary O’Connell brings together the dark and the light as the writer
takes us along on her journey of healing after 20 years in Soka Gakkai International (SGI). I too
was drawn into this group in the 1960s but never became deeply involved. My first cousin,
however, became heavily involved with SGI and psychedelics, fell into schizophrenia, and
ultimately committed suicide. Claire Hoffman and many of us left our cultic groups with a
measure of harm we could attempt to heal. Not everyone is so lucky.
Sincerely,
Nori Muster
About ICSA Today
ICSA Today (IT) serves ICSA members by
providing information that enhances
understanding of all aspects of the cult
phenomenon, including how groups
function, how they affect members,
techniques of influence, dealing with
harmful effects, educational and legal
implications, and other subjects.
ICSA Today issues may include
• practical articles for former
members, families, helping
professionals, researchers,
and others
• opinion essays
• theoretical articles
• reports on research
• summaries of news reports on
groups
• information on books, articles, links
• information on ICSA members
• biographical profiles on selected
members
• personal accounts
• art work
• poetry
• short stories and other literary
articles
• special reports from correspondents
around the world
ICSA Today is published three times a
year.
Regular ICSA members receive the print
edition of ICSA Today and have access
to its Web edition. Students and other
special members gain access to the
online edition only.
Nonmember print subscriptions are
available. Submissions to the magazine
should be sent to the Editor-in-Chief,
Michael Langone, PhD:
mail@icsamail.com
We prefer Microsoft Word or a program
compatible with Word. Articles should
be no more than 2,500 words. Please
include a jpeg photo (no less than 360
dpi) and biographical sketch (less than
150 words) with your submission.
Appropriate submissions are reviewed
by the relevant section editor and,
when appropriate, editorial review
advisors.
International Cultic Studies Association
P.O. Box 2265 • Bonita Springs, FL 34133
Phone: 239.514.3081
Email: mail@icsamail.com
Website: icsahome.com
