I Escaped a Cult - Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth Review

[Consilience]

Dear actualized.org members.

It is important I share this update with the community. Around three years ago I made this post reviewing the Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth, or MAPLE. Much of what I spoke to was valid relative to that point in time, but has since dramatically shifted. This post is an update to the original.

I'm sharing this story now as a lesson and case study into the ever present dangers of self-deception. I haven't watched Leo's most recent video on fake-spirituality but can say with confidence MAPLE would fall into this category, as well as fits into Leo's classic video on "Cult Psychology." I re-watched Leo's video on cults towards the end of my Residency at MAPLE and was taken aback by how much Leo's description aligned with what MAPLE had slowly transformed into during my time there. I would approximate 70% of the aspects of cult psychology Leo speaks to MAPLE had slowly fallen into over the course of my training. 

If at all possible, I would ask either Leo or moderators remove the original review on MAPLE or let me edit it. MAPLE has spent considerable financial resources scrubbing the internet of negative reviews. Now when you search "monastic academy" on google, my original and quite frankly, raving review, is one of the top hits on Google. This could potentially contribute towards harm.

Below is a statement I've written and shared on other social media and a link to a YouTube video speaking directly about my story. 

I'm also happy to answer any questions the community may have. 

-

Last February I left my time training as a Resident at the Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth, or "MAPLE." The TLDR is that I left because I watched this vibrant spiritual community slowly de-cohere into a cult.

The below video is an account of my story regarding MAPLE, and what I observed which lead to this decision to leave. And it's worth mentioning - MAPLE has self-described explicitly as being a cult; the use of the word is both out of respect for the organization's self-identity and yet critical in that my sharing of this is a pointing to systemic power structures and dynamics typical of distinctly *abusive* cults.

It's also worth sharing that multiple attempts at giving organizational feedback have taken place over multiple generations of the community on individual-to-individual, small group, and collective scales. I've personally engaged in all three of these forms of attempted feedback. Despite these prior attempts, feedback has not been adequately received nor addressed. Patterns of harm in various forms and iterations have continued playing out. As of right now, I'm the only individual I'm aware of who has deeply participated in the community and training program who is now making a public statement about MAPLE's misconduct.

However, this raises the question - how is it possible that I, personally, could go along with this for three years?

Since leaving, I've been in constant inquiry around this; around where personal integrity fractures, and where being a victim to sophisticated, subtle, and highly intelligent forms of manipulative domination meet. However, this inquiry doesn't stop at the individual. While MAPLE and my story are unique, this story is also a fractal of the ways in which planetary systems of power function to dominate not only humans, but all life on Earth. We are in fact in the midst of a global meta-crisis which originates from a collective mind of domination that we are all subject to. To ask where our personal integrity fractures in the face of domination is to be directly in the inquiry of global systems change.

The tragedy of MAPLE is that despite what I share in my story, MAPLE's work in the field of existential risk and its theory of change speaks to the heart of preserving life on Earth through recognizing any true change of the future of humanity is a function of the transformation of mind. Attempting to address AI Risk, Climate Change, or any other major threat to life on Earth without addressing the axiomatic root of causally productive mind is misunderstanding where systems change actually takes place. Global systems change rooted in wisdom and compassion is inextricable from mind.

Yet, to weaponize this insight as justification for misconduct is deeply dangerous and hypocritical. It's easy to say that the ends justify the means when one adopts a position of planetary spiritual authority. It's easy to bypass the hard work of relational integrity when there's only the foregrounding of planetary urgency. There are countless configurations of the mechanisms of manipulative deflection and plausible deniability that spiritual authority can wield when the only thing that matters is the conceptual projection of the preservation of life on Earth rather than living in the reality of one's embodied relationships.

I have no doubts about the sincerity of the MAPLE community, but I also recognize the deep, ever present possibility of self-deception and all of its collective expressions when proper feedback channels are not allowed to exist. The core of why I left and why I'm sharing my story now is a response to this self-protective contraction of the community away from honesty.

I do not claim to hold all the answers to MAPLE's collective psychology. I do not claim to hold all of the answers to global systems change. And I certainly do not self-proclaim planetary spiritual authority. But I do make a firm claim that it is only through a personal commitment to honesty, integrity, and truth that compassion arises, at any scale. This commitment must not only express itself as a realization of the nature of one's mind, but must also express itself throughout the behavioral conduct of living relationships, and it is the coherence of these two that gives rise to a world based on wisdom and compassion.

Video Account of My Story

Edited July 22 by Consilience

[Salvijus]

25 minutes ago, Consilience said:

However, this raises the question - how is it possible that I, personally, could go along with this for three years?

The entire world is corrupt including Leo and this forum, big deal. You can still grow in a corrupt structure anyways. There is something positive about the world also. There were positive things in your community as well I'm guessing. That's why you stayed there for as long as you did. No point ruminating on the negative. 

Edited July 22 by Salvijus

[Consilience]

7 minutes ago, Salvijus said:

The entire world is corrupt including Leo and this forum, big deal. You can still grow in a corrupt structure anyways. There is something positive about the world also. There were positive things in your community as well I'm guessing. That's why you stayed there for as long as you did. No point ruminating on the negative. 

It's true you can. And you're right about the world and about this organization having some good. I did gain a lot by training there.

The point in this processing isn't about rumination though, but about contemplation. Sincerely engaging in the inquiry of where our integrity breaks, which is in fact the bridge between how existential insight functions within the relative world of relational existence, points towards our blind spots and lack of realization.

So yeah, I agree, it's good to not ruminate! And it's good to honestly self-reflect. 

[Salvijus]

4 minutes ago, Consilience said:

The point in this processing isn't about rumination though, but about contemplation. Sincerely engaging in the inquiry of where our integrity breaks, which is in fact the bridge between how existential insight functions within the relative world of relational existence, points towards our blind spots and lack of realization.

That's beautiful. 

[Salvijus]

The important insight here is that none is holier than thou. Even when somebody approached Jesus and called him good, he replied, "don't call me good, none is good but God". There is no one without corruption inside. We are all cult leaders. Let the one without sin throw the first stone. See. When someone is in the wrong, don't criticize, uplift them. And own your own mistakes. That is the way. 

Edited July 22 by Salvijus

[Leo Gura]

1 hour ago, Salvijus said:

The entire world is corrupt including Leo and this forum, big deal.

Do not compare us to a cult.

Nothing of the sort goes on here.

[Leo Gura]

@Consilience Gald you got out.

Let me know how I can help.

If you have some videos or articles exposing them, I can share it on my blog. Always happy to expose a cult.

You should also watch my newest video. Things will click for you.

Edited July 22 by Leo Gura

[Salvijus]

6 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

Nothing of the sort goes on here.

Lol

[aurum]

@Consilience You mentioned that leadership was unwilling to take feedback around the structure of MAPLE. 

Can you be more specific?

What were your original critiques of the structure of MAPLE that you feel were not being heard by the leadership?

[Consilience]

1 hour ago, Leo Gura said:

@Consilience Gald you got out.

Let me know how I can help.

If you have some videos or articles exposing them, I can share it on my blog. Always happy to expose a cult.

You should also watch my newest video. Things will click for you.

Thank you. Your cult psychology video is truly spot on. 

Unfortunately, the only high quality critique I'm aware of is my own video I shared at the bottom of the original post. It would be helpful if you re-posted it on your blog as a way to protect others from going, but I'm sensitive to not wanting to ask for self-promotion. If more resources become available outside of my video report I will reach out though. 

Do you know of any organizations that specifically help former cult members navigate potential legal ramifications? I am concerned how the organization will respond to all of this in the coming weeks/months, especially given I'm the only real person who has spoken out thus far and they have far more financial resources than I do. 

[Leo Gura]

@Consilience I don't know of any organizations. You can ask AI about that.

I will watch your video and make a decision about posting in on the blog.

Your review thread has been removed.

Edited July 22 by Leo Gura

[Leo Gura]

I don't see your critique video. Post it here please.

Any material or information you want me to consider posting on the blog, post it here.

Edited July 22 by Leo Gura

[Consilience]

3 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

@Consilience I don't know of any organizations. You can ask AI about that.

I will watch your video and make a decision about posting in on the blog.

Do you want me to delete your review thread?

Yes please delete the original review thread. Thank you. 
 

1 minute ago, Leo Gura said:

I didn't see your critique video. Post it here please.

 

[r0ckyreed]

@Consilience I was just thinking about you. I’ve been wondering about you and where you went. Cults is one of the reasons why I may never do a formal meditation retreat. Retreats are a distraction from doing the real spiritual work on my own to obtain a sovereign awakening. Glad you’re back.

[Consilience]

1 hour ago, aurum said:

@Consilience You mentioned that leadership was unwilling to take feedback around the structure of MAPLE. 

Can you be more specific?

What were your original critiques of the structure of MAPLE that you feel were not being heard by the leadership?

The original critiques around the structure of MAPLE revolve around leadership's unwillingness to examine the ways it may have harmed community members as a result of how the organization's hierarchical power structure is set up, both in terms of its non-profit side, and in terms of how it teaches spirituality, specifically Buddhism. 

There is of course the plausible deniability that the leadership has in fact examined this kind of feedback for themselves. But as a member outside of leadership, the expectation is to adopt the explanations and rationalizations provided, rather than think for one's self, on the basis that those in leadership have demonstrated a higher degree of wisdom, which is why they are in leadership in the first place. 

I could go into much greater detail, but that's the gist. 

[Consilience]

1 minute ago, r0ckyreed said:

@Consilience I was just thinking about you. I’ve been wondering about you and where you went. Cults is one of the reasons why I may never do a formal meditation retreat. Retreats are a distraction from doing the real spiritual work on my own to obtain a sovereign awakening. Glad you’re back.

Thanks. Well its true there is that risk when going to do retreats with certain communities. The difficult part is that solo retreats, while more powerful, are much harder to do because of how slippery our minds are. Having outside support through the handling of setting up retreat container logistics, and offering teachings, can be very helpful. 

I know of very few individual's disciplined enough to follow through on serious solitary solo retreats focused on spiritual work. If you can do though, amazing. 

[Leo Gura]

3 minutes ago, r0ckyreed said:

Cults is one of the reasons why I may never do a formal meditation retreat.

You can find quality, non-culty meditation retreats. Shinzen Young does good ones.

[r0ckyreed]

Just now, Leo Gura said:

You can find quality, non-culty meditation retreats. Shinzen Young does good ones.

Thanks. I will look into it. I first am gonna do a weekend at-home retreat before considering that.

[r0ckyreed]

9 minutes ago, Consilience said:

Thanks. Well its true there is that risk when going to do retreats with certain communities. The difficult part is that solo retreats, while more powerful, are much harder to do because of how slippery our minds are. Having outside support through the handling of setting up retreat container logistics, and offering teachings, can be very helpful. 

I know of very few individual's disciplined enough to follow through on serious solitary solo retreats focused on spiritual work. If you can do though, amazing. 

Thanks mate. I loved your insights and videos on meditation. You are great inspiration! What meditation techniques are you most using now? What’s your go-to method for ego annihilation these days? Keep up your great work man. I’m so glad you’re back.

Edited July 22 by r0ckyreed

[aurum]

15 minutes ago, Consilience said:

The original critiques around the structure of MAPLE revolve around leadership's unwillingness to examine the ways it may have harmed community members as a result of how the organization's hierarchical power structure is set up, both in terms of its non-profit side, and in terms of how it teaches spirituality, specifically Buddhism. 

There is of course the plausible deniability that the leadership has in fact examined this kind of feedback for themselves. But as a member outside of leadership, the expectation is to adopt the explanations and rationalizations provided, rather than think for one's self, on the basis that those in leadership have demonstrated a higher degree of wisdom, which is why they are in leadership in the first place. 

I could go into much greater detail, but that's the gist. 

Are there specific beliefs or teachings you found problematic? Or was it just the hierarchical structure itself that was the problem?