The Spiritual Abuse Crisis is Way Worse Than You Think
The Deepak Chopra-Epstein scandal is raising awareness about spiritual abuses.
Be Scofield is a prominent cult reporter whose reporting is cited by the NY Times, Rolling Stone, People, and more.
2/28/2026
By BE SCOFIELD
I have a new Substack called The Savior Complex where I'll be analyzing high-control spirituality and cults. Please join the list and consider becoming a paying subscriber.
My first post Deepak Chopra, Jeffrey Epstein, and the Spiritual Abuse Crisis has gone somewhat viral. I explain why the spiritual abuse crisis is way worse than we think and how many of the biggest names are implicated.
In the post I go through "Guru Files" on three of the biggest names in modern spirituality—Chogyam Trungpa, Sadhguru, and Amma. I highlight the whistleblowers, allegations backed by documents or firsthand accounts, and stories of victims. The evidence is overwhelming.
If you haven't read my full in-depth series on each one, you can do so here. Sadhguru Part I and Part 2. Amma Part 1 and Part 2. The Shambhala series is here.
In my new post on The Savior Complex, I talk about how I've never seen so many industry insiders be willing to call out Deepak Chopra. It's almost as if it's safe or "cool" to do at the moment. Calling out gurus like Sadhguru or Amma can still cost you points in the spiritual field.
I also explore the wider crisis within spirituality—there is seemingly no yoga or Buddhist lineage left untouched by scandal. I write:
Over the last few decades, allegations of abuse have touched nearly every major modern yoga lineage—physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual misconduct, financial exploitation, and systemic cover-ups. Many of the world’s most prominent Buddhist teachers and institutions have been rocked by scandals. The same is true in the non-dual and Hindu “teacher” circuit, where self-proclaimed masters have repeatedly been exposed running coercive, abusive cults. The list is too long to do justice here—and in some cases it includes allegations of child sexual abuse.
I will be offering a lot more analysis of cults, gurus, and high-control spirituality on The Savior Complex. Please subscribe and consider being a paying member.