u/Independent-Soup-985

Iskcon is a mind controlling cult with a terrible toxic environment. From the outside it doesn’t seem that way. Some people in it aren’t so toxic and could make the newcomer believe it’s just about Krishna and it’s a safe place to be.

Long time practitioners use the scripture written for Iskcon as justification for their toxic and manipulative behaviors. They convince everyone that they are the only ones with the real truth and everyone who doesn’t believe is an offender. They can literally get away with so much abuse because the books are subtly written in such a way that there is an excuse and justification for every toxic behavior.

I’ve met some of the nicest people in Iskcon (mostly Indians) and some of the worst people I’ve ever witnessed in my life in Iskcon.

One time a senior mataji Prabhupad disciple came to the temple I was staying at. She came with her underage grandson as her protector because she has been divorced. Immediately she demanded people to start serving her, getting her things, fixing the free room she was staying in because it didn’t fit her standards. She made the maintenance guy go to the store to get a new door on because it was too jiggly and “annoying”. Her demands were literally insane. I gave up my room so she could stay in it and I stayed in the storage closet next door. She came into the room while I was babysitting someone’s child and told her to stop making noise because she was trying to sleep. And this is all justified because she is a senior disciple if I questioned her it would have been an offense to a vaisnava and I would fall down.

This is the type of shit happening in Iskcon and it justifies people’s toxic behavior. Everything toxic has a spiritual reason and nobody has to take accountability. Everyone gossips about each other. Everyone is always assuming someone isn’t following. Always some drama. It’s horrible guys.

Iskcon rejects the term Hinduism because they claim it is a modern word originating from invaders etc. They believe the word Hindu is a bodily association and not a way to describe the spiritual practice.They claim ISKCON is Sanatan Dharma. But they preach down on “demigods” and say we should only worship Krishna which is dogmatic.

Sanatan Dharma is not a dogmatic religion. The Lord is manifested in many forms of gods and goddess for many different purposes but you realize that actually it is all one supreme God but you may worship many forms of God.

Iskcon itself completely contradicts the existence of Sanatan Dharma by definition. They are cherry picking certain aspects of worship and manipulating others to believe what they want. They cannot claim Sanatan Dharma in my opinion because they completely reject the idea of worshiping other gods or goddesses.

Iskcon says to respect “demigods” but never go to them for anything. And if you get caught worshiping a demigod in Iskcon, the devotees will think you are the most insincere and stupid person on the planet and chastise you and probably do many other manipulative and horrible things to out you to the community.

They make fun of and view any other worship than Iskcon or other Gauidya traditions as invalid and demean them by calling them Karmis, Mayavad and other judgmental names.

In the beginning it doesn’t seem like a mind controlling cult. But the more you read and associate the more they tell you to not read anything other than Prabhupads books. The manipulation and control is subtle and the longer you stay in the more it changes you.

They pray on your sincere desire to know the truth about life. And they take advantage of those who have mental illness, trauma and hard upbringings. And the sad part is these devotees don’t even realize they are doing that. They may not have the intention to brainwash you because they are brainwashed themselves. Some may know exactly what they are doing though.

Ma Matangi ki Jaya 🙏

The more you say you are underserving of Krishna’s lotus feet the more you are praised for being an advanced devotee.

Why would God want us to talk about ourselves like that if we have faithfully and sincerely repented for our sins? Why wouldn’t we be worthy to Krsna if we are following everything our guru says and we are pushing ourselves in extreme ways to follow properly. Why would Krsna still not accept us?

It doesn’t make sense why God wants us to hate ourselves and think we are unworthy of a relationship with Him.

Ritualistic fanaticism is rampant in Iskcon. Very confusing and sad.