How I Created a Cult: The Story of Andrew Cohen and EnlightenNext
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 18, 2016 -- How I Created a Cult: The Story of Andrew Cohen and EnlightenNext, the new six-part documentary series, (first episode premiered on Sunday, October 16th) profiles Andrew Cohen, one of America’s most controversial spiritual teachers, the collapse of his organization, EnlightenNext in 2013 and the shocking realization to his followers, and the rest of the world, that they were a part of a cult.
The 6-part weekly doc series, will premiere on Conscious 2, a new online subscription based platform service devoted to original content, films and classes on mindfulness, yoga, and conscious living.
How I Created a Cult provides a compelling exploration of power and charismatic leadership, taking viewers deep into a world of psychological abuse, financial extortion, desperate acts for approval and the question of what happens when a group of people risk it all for an ideal.The documentary series blends all access interviews with cult founder and leader, Andrew Cohen, with commentary from his former students and external experts.
“Andrew Cohen disappeared from the public eye after the collapse of his worldwide organization in 2013 and has not given any in-depth interviews about what happened until now,”says Meagen Gibson, Producer/Director of How I Created a Cult. “What happened to Andrew Cohen and EnlightenNext is a unique opportunity to examine spirituality in a post-modern context and discern how and why genuine spiritual practice crosses the line to cult-like behavior.”
“We are thrilled to be presenting How I Created a Cult as our first original long format doc series on Conscious 2,” says Alex Howard, CEO & Founder. “Our platform is devoted to original content around conscious living. Subscribers get an all access pass to world class teachers, classes and programs to promote a more thoughtful and healthy lifestyle. To give audiences an authentic representation of all the different practices out there, we also need to expose the dark shadows of spiritual teachings, as this series does. Our hope is to inspire viewers to always question their practice and their teachers and find balance on the journey to a more meaningful life.”
About Andrew Cohen
Andrew Cohen was one of the most notorious American gurus of the last thirty years. His worldwide organization EnlightenNext collected tens of millions of dollars from centers in the UK, Holland, Sweden, France, Australia, Israel and India as well as a large residential compound in western Massachusetts.
EnlightenNext’s magazine What is Enlightenment? (EnlightenNext) was the most widely read publication in its genre, shelved in major retail stores in the U.S. and featured interviews with cultural creatives and thought leaders like Deepak Chopra and Anthony Robbins.
After being told he was enlightened in India at age 31, Andrew started teaching and quickly gathered a committed following of devotees. More than just a teacher, Andrew declared himself a guru and expected absolute perfection from his disciples. A cult was born leaving a trail of personal destruction over the course of 27 years. Many disillusioned students, including his own mother, went on to write critical books and blogs cataloging the accusations against him, all of which were rejected by Andrew as fiction.
In 2013, Andrew’s most senior students forced him to step down, freeing them from the organizational control and manipulation they had suffered and implemented for more than a quarter of a century. The entire organization collapsed in Andrew’s absence. Andrew disappeared for a few years and has not given any in-depth interviews about what happened until now.
About the Filmmakers
Meagen Gibson
The series was directed and produced by Meagen Gibson, an award winning journalist, storyteller and television producer. She has produced films, commercials and major broadcast network television (including The Voice and Who Do You Think You Are?) in Los Angeles for companies like Mark Burnett Productions, Shed Media, One Three Media, Pilgrim Films and Television and The Institute.
Alex Howard
Alex is an entrepreneur, author and psychotherapist. He is the Founder and CEO of The Optimum Health Clinic, a major UK charity with patients in over 35 countries, and Founder and CEO of Conscious 2, your all access pass for mindfulness, yoga and conscious living.
About Conscious 2
How I Created a Cult was produced by digital media company Conscious 2, a new online subscriber based platform service giving you an all access pass from your smartphone, laptop, tablet or television to exclusive content, films and classes on conscious living. There is something for everyone, whether you want to meditate, practice yoga, improve your relationships or be a better parent. C2 features over 80 experts, from world leading teachers such as Byron Katie, Mooji, Ken Wilber and Marianne Williamson, to introducing you to original shows and films. Subscription fees are $16.99 per month or $120 for one flat fee for the entire year.
Trailer: https://www.conscious2.com/howicreatedacult/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howicreatedacult
Conscious 2: https://www.conscious2.com
Tiffany Woolf, [email protected], +1 (917) 532-3366, [email protected]
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