About this season
Andrew Cohen was one of the most notorious gurus in recent history. His organization, EnlightenNext, collected millions of dollars from devotees. But soon stories emerged of psychological abuse, extortion and coercive control. Now group members, and Cohen himself, reveal what life was like inside the cult. What makes people join these groups and why do so many of them end in turmoil and tragedy?
Episodes (3)
1. Power, Domination and Control
Aired 15 October 2016 • 45 min
In the first part of this eye-opening documentary, American Andrew Cohen gains enlightenment on a trip to India. Quickly dozens of people leave their lives to follow this new guru to California. Families and marriages are torn apart as people surrender every hour of their lives to Andrew's demands. Why did so many ordinary men and women give themselves up so readily to this emerging cult?
2. Pressure and Isolation
Aired 15 October 2016 • 45 min
Andrew Cohen now had a devoted group of followers. But his determination to test their faith soon grew more and more destructive. His devotees reported psychological abuse, including simulated amputations, while others were forced to remain in freezing cold water to the point of hypothermia as punishment. Why were these ordinary people so willing to suffer these extremes to please one man?
3. The Fall
Aired 15 October 2016 • 45 min
After 25 years, frictions grew within Andrew Cohen’s cult and cracks began to appear. Questions started to be asked concerning the group’s charismatic leader. It seemed the years of control and psychological abuse were about to take their toll. But when the entire organization eventually imploded, it was more dramatic than anyone could have anticipated.