DiscoverGuru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment
Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment
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Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment

Author: Wondery

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Description

When we face challenges in life, we seek answers from people we believe can help us. When tragedy strikes an exclusive retreat with a self-help superstar, many people are left to wonder: how far is too far? James Arthur Ray was an Oprah-endorsed self-help teacher who achieved fame, fortune, and influence. But friends and family members of his followers questioned his unorthodox methods, and tried to stop him. From Wondery, the makers of “Dirty John,” “Dr. Death,” and “The Shrink Next Door,” comes a story about the dark side of enlightenment. Hosted by journalist Matt Stroud.

Available exclusively on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.

3 Episodes
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Introducing: Guru

Introducing: Guru

2020-06-1503:2331

A search for spiritual guidance leads a group of strangers to seek help from a self-help guru. He’s part of a growing number of entrepreneurs giving workshops and seminars all over the US in the 2000s. His unorthodox methods and blend of self-improvement philosophies and economic advice have won praise from Oprah and others. His career seems to be taking off, but his ever more extreme methods push his pupils to their limits. What are they seeking? What does he offer? And what happens when it all goes too far, and people die. Listen on Apple Podcasts starting July 1st.Available exclusively on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Spiritual Warriors | 1

Spiritual Warriors | 1

2020-07-0138:54102

Ginny and her daughter Kirby attend an event featuring self-help superstar James Arthur Ray. Ginny has some concerns about him, but Kirby is drawn in. She spends her life savings to travel for a week-long event in the desert. But when things turn deadly, Ginny is left to figure out what went wrong.Listen exclusively with Wondery+. Start your free trial at wonderyplus.comSupport the show by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Guru has moved. You can binge all seven episodes ad-free right now by subscribing to Wondery+ in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app: https://wondery.com/links/guru/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Comments (57)

Phillip Tucker

This says everything about justice in the US. James Arthur Ray (Guru) only served a pathetic 2 years in prison for Involuntary Manslaughter. The moment he came out of prison he was back in the media backed by the same people as he was previously.

Feb 27th
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Kimica Z

Every time they say his full name I just think "JAR" lol

Jun 24th
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A Gannon

some judgy asshole commenters on previous episodes, or on any article about cults, etc., need to listen to the last 5 minutes and take it to heart. i really wish they'd talked about vulnerability more. so many people think they're above being drawn in to something like this...they aren't. nobody who winds up in a cult or in a near cult situation has ever said to themselves "wow, boy howdy, am I ever gullible and ripe for exploitation. think I'll go join a cult, as I'm such easy pickings!" it has nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with vulnerability, and what those judgy assholes need to understand is that *the purpose of society and the duty of humanity is to protect the vulnerable*, not mock them when they are harmed. you are not immune. there is a philosophy out there strong enough to draw you in, if the right bastard catches you at the right time. we must be sympathetic.

May 22nd
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priyankasj28

Another riveting program. I can always rely on #wondery to share engaging stories.

May 1st
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Cayenne Love

It's ironic that a show about sketchy wellness practice is full of ads for sketchy wellness products.

Mar 26th
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Catherine Dove

isn t it almost the non religious version of Osteen s prosperity church? it did hit all the cult markers save cutting off those who don't follow. I suspect that if it were not for the deaths at the time they did happen,it would become a nexium like cult

Jan 1st
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A Gannon

This absolute SHIT has the unmitigated gall to complain about the heat in prison?! WOW he can go fuck a bed of hot coals and suck Satan's farts for air.

Dec 14th
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Dee Smith

He carries on about how he lost 3 Friends BUT then straight after says I LOST ALL MY COMPANIES WHAT A TWAT

Oct 22nd
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Dee Smith

I take my hat 🧢 off to Jenny I think I would of cut his neck

Oct 21st
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Dee Smith

Stupid Oprah

Oct 21st
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Dee Smith

I’m an ex drug addict & just can’t understand how stupid ppl can be to believe in this shit

Oct 20th
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LadyMae

One of the best podcast episodes I've listened to in a while. I'm totally looking this guy up later.

Sep 26th
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SleepyCat

I thought inner happiness was more than success and money?😑

Aug 9th
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SleepyCat

Many of these people needed therapy, medication and some social interaction, not some nut job locking them in a hot shed!!😬

Aug 9th
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SleepyCat

This is based on cult models - dressed up as 'wellness' and 'empowerment' James Ray is a snake oil salesman with a thirst for power, cash and has a god complex. How did such intelligent people fall for such nonsense? Did I also hear Herbal life mentioned? Wasn't that some MLM scam??? Good grief😧

Aug 9th
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Samp 75

I'm not sure why this is a 7 part podcast? It seems to be a witch hunt against an irresponsible person who was followed by equally irresponsible consenting adults which led to their demise...

Jul 29th
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MoonStruck

You know at first I was irritated by the followers, but the more I listened to what this guy was saying and how he was "grooming" them, I realized how manipulative he was. A lot of those people probably couldn't see past his machinations no matter how intelligent they were because he was playing on their vulnerabilities and telling them what they wanted to hear. In short, he brainwashed them. They didn't have the ability to make better decisions.

Jul 27th
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Santos Mendez

This guy is so showman this is the same thing Joe osteen does

Jul 24th
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Santos Mendez

Funny how Oprah Invites these scam artists to her show And gives him the green light and has people believing in them And they end up being Frauds What does that tell you people stop believing what Oprah says

Jul 24th
Reply (1)

Kitabug

I always try to consider all sides of arguments presented and to place myself in others' shoes. I'm surprised that I find myself feeling more outraged/frustrated by the followers and their willingness to do whatever this guy said than the 'guru.' It's so sad that people are so willing to 'follow' that they would throw all rational thinking out the window. I'm just blown away by the fact that their need to believe in something cancelled their ability to recognize that they were literally baking to death. Wow! I agree with other comments that at the end of the day you're responsible for prioritizing your own personal safety. I guess they weren't given enough information to fully weigh the risks...but you would think that internal alarm bells would start to sound as they approached their physical limit. Had every participant in this extreme heat challenge died, I would have a completely different reaction. The fact that some of them had the soundness of mind to leave the tent when they re

Jul 18th
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