Reviews
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“I’m mostly of the same opinion as the other one star review here. It’s sensationalist journalism with the integrity of a wet cardboard box. I’m up to episode 3 so far and it has lacked any objectivity, and only seems to be presenting a series of unfortunate occurrences some Individuals...”Read full review »
EggVillain via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/29/24
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“This type of sensationalism is nothing less than desperate journalism covered up as investigative. It’s using Malcom Gladwell’s formula of audio storytelling, but making a mockery of an ancient and well studied process which has huge benefits for 99% of people. By focusing on a tiny percentage of...”Read full review »
Oribaba via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/27/24
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“I have a friend who has been very badly affected by these 10 day retreats and I wish the organisation had had the courage to give a detailed response to the journalist. Of course, not everyone will be impacted in the same way … that should go without saying. But, having seen first hand the...”Read full review »
Ali Mathew via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/27/24
“Such a well created, thoughtful podcast of a really important topic. I appreciated how the listener is repeatedly reminded that many people are helped by Vipassana retreats, and the language used allows for multiple perspectives. And the call to action is incredibly reasonable. In any other...”Read full review »
aaronvro via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/25/24
“I’m a psychotherapist who also practices vipassana meditation and gone on several Goenko retreats and given service at many . The first was in France in 2011 , followed by many in England at three centres . They have successfully grown all over the world since the 1980s giving thousands the...”Read full review »
ReetaB via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/20/24
“I feel it’s unfair to blame the meditation center, it’s a silent retreat, there’s no communication. It’s not rehab. It’s not a cult (it’s not worshipping a person). It’s not like people there are brainwashed. It’s silent. Meditation is deeply personal. It’s impossible for the organization to...”Read full review »
1stUse via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/17/24
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“Right from the start is was clear that the makers had done no research whatsoever into what Vipassana meditation actually is. Sloppy, sensationalist journalism.”
Willg65577 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/15/24
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“This really is sloppy, sensationalised journalism. I’m surprised the FT has endorsed it. It is sad to hear of the experiences of the vulnerable people described, but the journalist’s labelling Vipassana as a ‘cult’ in the first 5 minutes is a nonsense. I’ve done two of these courses, one in 2008...”Read full review »
Behappy76 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/14/24
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“While it’s an interesting listen, there are so many statements made that are untrue on behalf of the journalist and storytelling. Vipassana does not display any characteristics of a cult - people are free to leave and attend, and there is absolutely no coercion involved. Further, mindfulness does...”Read full review »
peggyseller via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
04/12/24
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“The stories of the mental health issues of these 4 women were sad and I empathize with the families who are suffering. However, to point the root cause of their mental health issues to Vipassana meditation is very unfair. I went on this 10 day retreat 15 years ago and had several shorter...”Read full review »
BKenn111 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/06/24
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“As an identical twin who introduced both his identical twin brother and wife to Vipassana, I found this reporting resonating and helpful albeit one-sided. Myself having never done a Vipassana retreat (I work on the “self- selves- Self” divide in a slower, more conversation-based meditation group...”Read full review »
LemangeloC via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/06/24
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“Having attended a Goenka Retreat, I find myself somewhat disappointed with the narrow scope of this podcast. There are several concerns I have regarding both the organization and its methodologies that go unaddressed. From my standpoint, one of the main issue doesn't lie with the meditation...”Read full review »
Mira VK via Apple Podcasts ·
Denmark ·
04/03/24
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“This podcast is like a prosecution: completely one-sided. I found it interesting, but I kept waiting for balance and it never came. The host seemed to think that reading the bland statements issued by the organization was enough to make it fair.
It’s clear from this reporting that intensive...”Read full review »
DLL3000 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/02/24
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“What disappointed me most about this podcast was the lack of understanding or attempt to understand the nature/origins of (complex) trauma. The pod perpetuates the idea that being well provided for in childhood (i.e. playing music with one’s family and having a nice garden) and seeming outwardly...”Read full review »
catchesss via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/02/24
“There have been numerous comments regarding whether some of these individuals having “break-downs” or psychotic episodes after these retreats have an mental health history and also commentary about the lack of professional opinion included in the podcast. As a mental health professional, I do...”Read full review »
TEA1989PHDMD via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
04/02/24
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“I think this a bias representation of these meditation courses. I’ve personally been to nine courses. meditation and healing is not all unicorns and rainbows, unfortunately, the hard truth is that healing is extremely painful. Darkness also has a intensity just like these euphoric experiences,...”Read full review »
123fal11 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/02/24
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“The mind is too powerful to play around with it. There are a lot of young people looking for help and learn about themself's. All cases are from young adults and it’s a good warning. This organisations should understand that one methodology doesn’t fit all and that should have expert people...”Read full review »
Carlamarlan via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/31/24
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“I have no relation to the organization under scrutiny, nor do I meditate, but I can tell you that this podcast is not into scientific thinking, sample size or evidence based claims. 5-10 examples of anecdotal evidence vs. the thousands that must necessarily be taking this course every year,...”Read full review »
Superflaura via Apple Podcasts ·
Denmark ·
03/29/24
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“Really enjoyed this. Appreciate that they weren’t able to speak to people from the organisation but the levels of exhaustion and lack of communication will undoubtedly have had an impact on people’s mental health.”
slmsvlrj via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/24/24
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“I am on episode two. So far the stories are interesting.”
LittleSnowBits via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/18/24
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“Utterly infuriating reading the reviews! I can’t believe that one states that as the young women who sadly exited her life was 22, the retreat had no obligation to contact her parents!! Are you for real!! What an utterly pathetic thing to say! I think the negative reviews reflect that the retreat...”Read full review »
Ron@81 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/17/24
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“I can see why the teachers declined interviews. Your questions I’m sure were very leading and unbalanced. You didn’t interview or present any of views of people who’ve had a positive life changing experience. That said, the issues raised are important. Not everyone should join a course and there...”Read full review »
sammythecatlove via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/16/24
“The lived experiences of the people in this podcast are incredibly sad. Without denying or taking away from those, this podcast is full of factual inaccuracies about vipassana and is incredibly one sided. Sensationalised to the max. Poor journalism.”
Harjax via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/14/24
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“I've been to vipassana numerous times. It is completely voluntary and by donation. There is no coercion or rites abd rituals. All they ask us tgat you challenge yourself slightly by simply doing tge simple meditation technique. It is explicit in its intake forms tgat you do not come if you...”Read full review »
chaaachi via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
03/14/24
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“Ignore the negative reviews (biased??). Untold: The Retreat is an excellent, very compelling piece of journalism. Anyone with an interest in meditation, psychology, cults, or anyone just looking for an intense story should give this podcast a listen.”
EnidaV via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
03/11/24
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“Equating some 10 day silent meditation retreats with vipassana meditation shows a serious lack of understanding the subject. The Financial Times is better than this.”
Spanish Sahara via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/11/24
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“Very good investigation. Thank you”
Django D via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/10/24
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“The stories told in this series are upsetting and I hope the people are able to get the help and support they need.
I’ve not been on one of the mentioned retreats, so can’t comment on whether it is a ‘cult’ but it is outrageously sloppy to conflate all meditation with one single organisation....”Read full review »
Jimjamfroo via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/05/24
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“A well told thorough and fascinating podcast.
It’s a shame that the organisers of the retreats did not have the courage to speak to the FT and explain what they see as being the benefits of their retreats. They should be held accountable, perhaps a member of parliament will take up the cause.”
James Broadland via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/02/24
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“Looks like the meditation people are here to shut down all criticism, ignore those low star reviews. This is important knowledge.”
GG from Seattle via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/01/24
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“It is an interesting podcast. However, it should be called “things to avoid if you have mental health issues”. It is not really about a “cult”, it is about the obsession of Western middle class youngish people with alternative therapies, Eastern meditation, etc.
I understand from this that...”Read full review »
LaLatinaIngles via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/29/24
“I was interested in this podcast because I wanted to explore what seemed to be the central scientific question at its core: what do we know about the ill effects associated not just with meditation, but with strict and aggressive meditation programmes like the one described here. What kind of...”Read full review »
Dingus00 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
02/26/24
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“The sheer numbers of people who meditate without injury underscore that the tragedies of this podcast were outliers. The narrator never asked why - even though they had limited meditation experience - why they signed up for intensive extreme retreat of so many days and hours. I do think the 10...”Read full review »
206MrsC via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/24/24
“I’m afraid this is not a great advertisement for the FT and falls a long way short of the standards I would expect from its journalism. By the end it felt merely exploitative, simply parading a series of awful personal tragedies for audience entertainment but with almost no analysis.
Even some...”Read full review »
Darioboh via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/22/24
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“People working in mental health have been aware of this issue for some time. Those criticising the journalism and saying that it is impossible that the retreat itself could trigger a psychotic break are ignorant I’m afraid.”
Nicola Cherry via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/21/24
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“I was really looking forward to an investigative piece on this topic. However there wasn’t any real reporting done and so this came across as an opinion piece wrapped around tragic profiles. Coming from The Financial Times I had higher expectations.
The experiences and stories highlighted are...”Read full review »
Soozer24 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/21/24
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“Yes, this was pretty one sided and would have benefited from more nuance re the different types of meditation but still very thought provoking. The popular narrative about meditation is so overwhelmingly positive. It was eye opening to realise there is also a risk of harmful side effects. The...”Read full review »
luckytwiglet via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/20/24
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“Handful of horror stories pointing at Vipassana as culprit for a mental health crisis? I don’t believe for one second that meditation is the hair trigger for mental health collapse. No intellectual rigor here, sensational biased storytelling. Really disappointing journalism.”
RCECWB via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/18/24
“There are elements that make this a biased series, which is too bad because it makes the ultimate, important, message less powerful. Let’s start by the music which is definitely chosen to condition the listener, preparing for a horror story. And then there are the “factual statements” of sleep...”Read full review »
Isapeetersh via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/18/24
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“So far, seems to overlook the possible scientific and psychological explanations for these experiences, but it’s early days, so I think it’s unfair to judge too harshly yet (as some have decided to do with 1-star reviews), and I did find the style and production to be of high quality and very...”Read full review »
PEEZA82 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/18/24
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“It’s odd that this pod has absolutely no examination of privilege, and the association between wealth and denial of mental health problems, something must always be “to blame”.
Meditating while hitchhiking or being unsafe while traveling abroad is something rich kids who aren’t aware of...”Read full review »
Allisonbd via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/17/24
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“This is such an interesting topic and the stories of the twins and Jaqui are relevant and important to hear. The story of the last family is so tormenting and awful to hear. What they’ve been through is horrific. What I am struggling to understand is how this podcast was allowed to conflate...”Read full review »
PeckNPiss via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/16/24
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“The conclusion is more nuanced but most of the episodes are very one sided and sensational driven.”
anna nora via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
02/16/24
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“This has been disturbing to listen to but I am glad I did. I highly recommend it. With so many people looking to do something different/cool/profound and on the lookout for a spiritual guru, I suspect only more people will seek out such retreats. Meditation seems to be one of those things that is...”Read full review »
reliable and efficient via Apple Podcasts ·
India ·
02/16/24
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“I’m on episode one and it sounds like a person had a serious mental health issue that coincided with getting interested in meditation. There is zero explanation so far of how the meditation retreat “did” this to Emily.
Maybe there wasn’t duty of care, but meditation cannot “remove” your...”Read full review »
1284749603 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/16/24
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“The podcast reveals that ‘not everyone becomes better from intensive meditation…’ so yes just like any other form of therapy? Very strange that Ep1 tries to blame Emily’s condition on the meditation when she herself says she couldn’t sleep on DAY 1 of the retreat. So BEFORE any prolonged...”Read full review »
Review11211 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/15/24
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“Well researched, well expressed, not junk food like many other pods that explore similar topics topics
Top marks for all involved in this production”
Dan the Milkshake Man via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
02/15/24
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“The reporter herself talks about how meditating can be beneficial to people. I for one think that most forms of meditation are absolute garbage. This is coming from an Indian man BTW.
Vipasanna does not make common sense. Human’s are highly social creatures, we are meant to connect and...”Read full review »
georigin via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/14/24
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“I found this slow, sensationalist and imbalanced. While the personal stories are tragic and important, the tone, music and “spooky” voiceover clips made it feel as if the podcast had no interest in really analysing the varied experiences and nuances around meditation or vipassana.”
RBTMS via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/14/24
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“It’s difficult to write this review.
The stories are truly terrible and harrowing and the pain of the parents is real and overwhelming. This said the podcast does a terrible job at reporting the facts. There is not real depth besides providing the basic facts, or looking into the organisation or...”Read full review »
D_a_V via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/14/24
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