In the 1980s I was part of a cult called Lifewave. It seemed to derive most of its beliefs from Hinduism. They taught meditation, and the leader John Yarr, who called himself Ishvara, thought that he was enlightened. There were quite a few in the cult who thought that they were enlightened too. The cult split up after his behavior was exposed.
What worries me is that he still seems to be teaching. I have puzzled over the origins of John Yarr's ideas. He taught meditation on the 'inner light and sound' so you would think that his ideas would come from Sant Mat or Surat Shabd Yoga. Or from the Divine Light Mission where he was a member.
He was more interested in the teachings of Alice Bailey and other Theosophists. What puzzles me most is that he was a great fan of Jiddu Krishnamurti, and yet Krishnamurti despised cult leaders who set themselves up as Buddhas or Avatars. We were told that he sent his followers to meet Krishnamurti but (not surprisingly) he was angry with what they told him.
Just recently I found out that Krishnamurti despite his attitude that there is no path, no teacher, no method did indeed teach a form of meditation. That made me think maybe John Yarr practiced Krishnamurti meditation, as well as meditating on the inner light and sound. The two forms of meditation are very different. There are many mysteries about what really went on in this cult. I'd like to know if anyone else was part of it and can share what they know.
What worries me is that he still seems to be teaching. I have puzzled over the origins of John Yarr's ideas. He taught meditation on the 'inner light and sound' so you would think that his ideas would come from Sant Mat or Surat Shabd Yoga. Or from the Divine Light Mission where he was a member.
He was more interested in the teachings of Alice Bailey and other Theosophists. What puzzles me most is that he was a great fan of Jiddu Krishnamurti, and yet Krishnamurti despised cult leaders who set themselves up as Buddhas or Avatars. We were told that he sent his followers to meet Krishnamurti but (not surprisingly) he was angry with what they told him.
Just recently I found out that Krishnamurti despite his attitude that there is no path, no teacher, no method did indeed teach a form of meditation. That made me think maybe John Yarr practiced Krishnamurti meditation, as well as meditating on the inner light and sound. The two forms of meditation are very different. There are many mysteries about what really went on in this cult. I'd like to know if anyone else was part of it and can share what they know.