A movement embroiled in controversy, promoting spiritual awakening while facing allegations of mistreatment.
Kosmic Fusion, founded by Sree Maa Shri Ji, describes itself as a global movement aiming for a world transformation through love, compassion, and acceptance. It offers workshops and spiritual training sessions and presents a philosophy rooted in the power of the Absolute or unconditional love. However, the group has been the subject of controversy and allegations of being a cult, with accusations from former members regarding its practices and the behavior of its leaders.
The core allegations against Kosmic Fusion involve intense and lengthy “confessional” sessions, where members, referred to as Facilitators-in-Training (FiTs), were reportedly made to confess their sins for up to ten hours. These sessions were criticized as forms of mental torture, with participants allegedly being berated, threatened, and in some cases physically abused in front of live audiences and online viewers. Former members claimed they were diagnosed as “covert narcissists” during these sessions, a label used to justify the need for “cleansing” through confession and humiliation. There were also claims of members being encouraged to view the founders as divine figures or reincarnations of Swaminarayan, adding a layer of spiritual authority to the leaders’ actions.
In response to these allegations, Kosmic Fusion has issued public statements vehemently denying any form of abuse or misconduct. The organization asserts that it is neither religious nor a cult and emphasizes its foundation on volunteerism, with no hierarchical structure or undue involvement in personal lives. It rejects the accusations made by former members Iphigenie Amoutsias and Joy Kuo as unfounded, attributing their departure to personal issues. Kosmic Fusion also presents evidence intended to discredit the allegations, including photographs and testimonies from events that purportedly show a harmonious and inclusive community environment.
image via Stuff
