Hi,
One thing I have been wondering about is how one actually officially becomes an "ex-BK"?
I know that some people get dramatically banned from centers for heretical and unacceptable behavior, and some people just decide to walk away of their own accord when the real nature of the cult starts to become too obvious too ignore. But I am also aware of pukka BKs who just kind of quietly fade away without fanfare over a very long period, and morph into some kind of half-and-half BK lifestyler.
I am asking this because I am curious about the example of my own lokik Sister who has undergone this slow progression over the past 12 or so years:-
She has gone from being a head of a BK center and key teacher for many years, to living a full Brahmin lifestyle in her own apartment but still attending classes and going to Madhuban, to not going to Madhuban but still meditating and living the Brahmin lifestyle, to now sharing an apartment platonically with an ex-BK Brother. Both are apparently maintaining celibacy, meditation and sattvic diet. As far as I know, they both will not speak ill of the BKs and strictly adhere to the lifestyle. What is this state of being called? Is it common amongst ex-BKs?
My take on it is that it is a compromise designed to quietly sneak out the BKSWU back door and not invoke the wrath of God for betraying the cult. It is also probably the only possible option left for people who have been indoctrinated for nearly 30 years, and are now too emotionally damaged for any other lifestyle. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
PS. I'd ask my Sister but we don't really communicate much, and I am sure discussing the BK experience would be totally taboo - as she was the one who used our family relationship to recruit me as a teenager, and I am sure she is not interested in learning about the serious damage the BK experience has caused in my life.
One thing I have been wondering about is how one actually officially becomes an "ex-BK"?
I know that some people get dramatically banned from centers for heretical and unacceptable behavior, and some people just decide to walk away of their own accord when the real nature of the cult starts to become too obvious too ignore. But I am also aware of pukka BKs who just kind of quietly fade away without fanfare over a very long period, and morph into some kind of half-and-half BK lifestyler.
I am asking this because I am curious about the example of my own lokik Sister who has undergone this slow progression over the past 12 or so years:-
She has gone from being a head of a BK center and key teacher for many years, to living a full Brahmin lifestyle in her own apartment but still attending classes and going to Madhuban, to not going to Madhuban but still meditating and living the Brahmin lifestyle, to now sharing an apartment platonically with an ex-BK Brother. Both are apparently maintaining celibacy, meditation and sattvic diet. As far as I know, they both will not speak ill of the BKs and strictly adhere to the lifestyle. What is this state of being called? Is it common amongst ex-BKs?
My take on it is that it is a compromise designed to quietly sneak out the BKSWU back door and not invoke the wrath of God for betraying the cult. It is also probably the only possible option left for people who have been indoctrinated for nearly 30 years, and are now too emotionally damaged for any other lifestyle. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
PS. I'd ask my Sister but we don't really communicate much, and I am sure discussing the BK experience would be totally taboo - as she was the one who used our family relationship to recruit me as a teenager, and I am sure she is not interested in learning about the serious damage the BK experience has caused in my life.