Being a part of something is wonderful. Movements, clubs, communities. These organizations shouldn’t demand a loss of your personal identity or sense of sense of self. High pressure communities have a way of twisting these conversations because of the inherent philosophical paradox of self and not-self in Ashtanga philosophy. More on youtube!
Organizations that limit agency and critique internally are inevitably going to be fragile. Pragmatically, its not great to be around. More on youtube!
Whistleblowers are often shunned. Luckily for us, it’s actually a good sign of a toxic group. When the priority is protecting the group and not the members of the group, there’s a problem. And it’s an easy one to spot! Manipulation comes in all kinds of forms— intellectual, emotional, professional. Look for shunning and a…
High Pressure Dynamics and Surveillance is NOT ok! The federal government is now monitoring people for anti-authrotiarian views on the Internet and blocking critics of the right from entering the united states. Its not just geopolitics, though. I once had an Ashtanga Yoga Teacher so high on her own stash she contacted a trusted friend…
Who won’t let you criticize them? Ready for another organizational red flag? Leadership that won’t allow criticism, of course! If we don’t encourage a multiplicity of viewpoints, we are inherently narrow sighted. If you must hold the same view as leadership in order to get a say, you are being controlled. I do not like…
Cult Warning Sign 4: Lack of Reason and Magical Thinking. Whole video on youtube!
Does your organization support healthy self esteem and a growth mindset… or dependence? Full video on YouTube.
Critical Thought in Healthy Groups doesnt look like convoluted stories. Full video on YouTube.
I’m gonna break down 25 red flags for high pressure groups and colts according to Dr. wong. My hope is to present the concept of a secular, humanist Ashtanga. The full videos on youtube 🙂