Atlantic Documentaries
‘Holy Shit, We’re in a Cult’
Sep 26, 2016
|
103 videos
Video by
The Atlantic
EnlightenNext was an organization, founded by self-styled guru Andrew Cohen, that aimed to facilitate spiritual awakening. Cohen’s most devoted students meditated for hours—at times, months—on end, were often celibate, and lived together. However, what started as an idealistic venture quickly turned into a complicated, often-sinister world that revolved around Cohen. The story of EnlightenNext’s rise and fall begs a deeper question: How do well-intentioned and rational people end up in a cult? In this documentary, The Atlantic talks to former members, as well as Cohen himself, about their stories in order to uncover the life span of a new religious movement that, after 27 years, collapsed nearly overnight.
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.
Authors: Jaclyn Skurie, Nicolas Pollock
About This Series
Original short documentaries produced by The Atlantic