Once Idolized, Guru of Nxivm ‘Sex Cult’ to Stand Trial Alone

"Prurient, bizarre and nauseating . . ." Can't wait for this trial to begin!

Some people didn’t anticipate that branding would be painful and so were traumatized. Ummmmm....

It is best to avoid the “how can people be so stupid” trap. We think of ourselves as rational, but rationality is a very recent development - a thin veneer over an ancient mythological unconscious. In that primordial world, organizations of society similar to this cult were a strategy for survival. Only several thousand years ago, less in parts of the world, tribes behaved more or less along the same lines, and the great powers of the gods, which symbolized the contents of the unconscious, were shaped to support that system. These beliefs, and worship of tribal leaders and kings that went along with them, had been etched into the psychological make up of human beings for tens of thousands of years, and into that of our evolutionary forbears for millions. What wonder is it that certain men still know how to sound the notes that vibrate in those depths? What wonder if flimsy rationality collapses like a house of cards in the minds of even very smart young women, and men, whose previous experiences of various kinds had already weakened their purchase on rationality? This is why established religions are overly careful to control their message and the leaders who are authorized to disseminate it. The mythological mind of human beings is highly susceptible to coercion by charismatic leaders, and there are always such leaders ready to exploit it.

He took advantage of people's stupidity and their lack of identity and self-esteem which had been perpetrated upon them by others long before he came onto the scene. He is much like the man who duped the American people into electing him president, and I don't see him in court.

At first glance, I am shocked at how many people could fall for quacks like this. And then I remember who we elected for President.

Indeed there are people in the world who prey on the vulnerability for wealth, power, to feed their self image and need for adulation. The larger part of this story appears to be greed and a desire for material gain by those who followed the leader. They went down a dark hole seeking money and status. In turn they became willing to harm and use others to gain further power within their group. There was a small leadership group, many more who bought in to 'get theirs'. Not too far off many dynamics in our society.

In the early days of NXIVM I was invited by a friend to one of their outreach seminars, having no idea what it was about. It took place at a glitzy local hotel and Nancy Salzman herself gave the pitch. To say her speech was ridiculous is an understatement, it felt like I was watching an SNL skit. In addition to the usual cult nonsense there were some laugh-out-loud moments where Salzman talked about IQ (specifically Ranieres), how rich we were all going to be saving the world, the mission of the group etc. I just wish I had been able to tape it. I looked around the room thinking everyone would be finding her speech as absurd as I was and that was one of the most shocking moments of my life - people were eating it up! Her speech appealed to their stupidity and narcissism I suppose. Needless to say I did not get involved, but the people who did certainly weren’t duped by some ingenious con. The media hasn’t covered it that I’ve seen but a local business (not to name names but they’ve made billions of dollars selling women tight yoga pants) was closely involved and tried to get staff to join, among many other local rich / powerful people. An important lesson to walk away from this is c/o Carlin, ‘Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.’ Unfortunately, cults / religion etc. will be with us for a long time, fortunately Raniere will be in jail. It’s not perfect but it is a nice end to this story at least.

From reading my son’s social studies book years ago, the differences between a cult and a religion seem to be the following: 1. Number of followers 2. Money in the bank 3. Successfulness of its PR department. Give a cult enough of the above (an army helps as well, as Constantine proved) and it becomes a religion. As an old friend who was a “hidden” Jewish child in an attic in Amsterdam for two years during Hitler’s reign “faith is a wonderful thing, Blind unquestioning faith is cruel and inhuman.” We as a society are happy to question theses obvious outlier belief systems that we brand “cults” because it’s easy to do so, yet we blindly follow belief systems that are often as cruel, inhumane, and intolerant (though behind the scenes and to the most vulnerable of us) - because questioning powerful religions is hard to do so and we risk ostracism for questioning “religion” as a synonym for “good” (it is not). We hide inside our houses of worship and let those to whom we blindly proclaim fealty set rules and even laws without question because they convince us that our god is in their court. How is the harm our major religions inflict (especially on our children - repeatedly - and those they deem “different”) any better than what these cults do?

We are all to a greater or lesser degree discovering each day is an exercise in limits. As Bob Dylan said long ago - don't follow leaders. It's plain that Raniere insisted on both obedience and severity - just like Jim Jones. As long as we consign the study of ethics to remote ivory towers instead of every high school curriculum this sad stupidity will inevitably reoccur. Let's decide to let glorified calculators count things for us and retrain our educational bucks, our attention, on how to live among others, how to think about the human condition. Our current system prizes the worship of dead silicon. We overlook the universal need to uncritically serve some master - especially dead silicon and 'the smartest man in the world'.

The state of mind of Mr. Raniere's followers is difficult to analyze, but the inaction of local authorities is even more difficult to understand. Mr. Meier states that "Nxivm had long succeeded in fending off scrutiny. In 2012, when a series of articles in a newspaper, The Albany Times-Union, described alleged abuses within the group, officials largely ignored the disclosures." My question is why did officials largely ignore the disclosures of sexual abuse within Nxivm! This is a disturbing trend in other places in America, where polygamous sects are ignored, even though polygamy is against American laws. Is misogyny so universal in this country that thousands of young women and underage girls are sexually abused and treated like trash? Perhaps hating women is much more common than I ever dreamed, since a woman abuser like Trump was elected President. Underage sex trafficking is too widespread in this country, and we really need to address the situation vigorously!

From my reading and watching documentaries, it seems that almost anyone with the nerve and, perhaps, a pinch of good looks can set themselves up as a guru, a teacher with all an knowing sense of potential and wonder. The best place to do it is in California, but it could work in Kansas or, apparently, even Albany. Some of the techniques are as follows. Speak slowly as if imparting special knowledge unknown to the rest of the world. Try sitting on a mat on the floor while speaking, but sitting in lotus position on a big chair might work, too. Talk in elliptical terms, each phase bending back to the beginning. Say things that people don't truly understand so they can go back to their rooms and contemplate the unknown you have spoken. Demand total obedience and cut "cult members" off from the outside world so that their lives revolve around the cult, the social activities and discussions going on there and nowhere else. Done. It seems to work again and again and charges of sexual abuse and domination are common. Going all the way back Phillip Zimbardo's and others experiments showing how willing most people are to follow instructions when given with authority, it is clear that our "free will" can be surrendered fairly easily. We are really not equipped to deal with new, unique situations and, in those situations, to maintain our sense of self. Perhaps spending years in classrooms in subservient position to teachers has something to do with this tendency.

Life lesson; 32. Any time someone claims to know how to get you to your truest Self. Run! Its not a thing. There is no Truest Self. Theres no means to even know what it would be, what it would look like. Many people have claimed at least 4 or more of them in their life...because things change and shift as we get older. Ive been around way too many people in certain Holistic settings, where people flock to listen to quasi cult leaders, spiritual leaders, etc...and you can clearly pick out the gullible in the crowd. unless youre one of them, then you wont see it. Skepticism is the best defense agianst these Cults. which can be small groups, without a charasmatic leader, but instead are comprised of people looking for others to give them answers on their life. People who are ridiculously open to any claims of enlightenment, and a path to their True Self.

It's easy to shake one's head at those who are sucked into cults, as if we were not similarly susceptible to such psychological manipulation. Yet, how many of us believe in cults like Catholicism, which makes Raniere’s alleged sex crimes look like a Sunday School picnic? Or take the Bible as some kind of "fact book"? Or blindly believe the government about the need for endless wars and "regime change" to fight the latest ubiquitous bogeyman, "terrorism"? There are a lot of beliefs all of us hold from constant psychological conditioning and manipulation by various power structures and what seems to be "normal" in the society we inhabit. Raniere’s cult is just a microcosm of the world we live in. As Eric Hoffer wrote: "All mass movements strive, therefore, to interpose a fact-proof screen between the faithful and the realities of the world. They do this by claiming that the ultimate and absolute truth is already embodied in their doctrine and that there is no truth nor certitude outside it. The facts on which the true believer bases his conclusions must not be derived from his experience or observation but from holy writ."

Not to make light of this story, but it sounds like the perfect miniseries for HBO.

Nxivm appears to be yet another example of a self-help program gone wrong. When does the desire to improve one's self deteriorate into cult mind control? At some point the pressure to walk on hot coals, or to pass out in a sweat lodge, becomes psychological enslavement.

The scariest moment to me was when I saw him on a photo being blessed by the Dalai Lama. This type of people has so much chutzpah. The more bluntly they lie the more successful they are. Exploiting on those who are full of insecurity and self-doubt.

At last, an article in the NY Times that gets the story right: a predator coercively persuaded followers to allow their boundaries to be violated, and he coercively persuded them to violate the boundaries of others. While the predator, Raniere, will not step back and acknowledge his predation, his sadistic cruelty, and his ultimate selfishness, the followers who left and who speak out now no longer want any part of it. They are risking profound retraumatization by coming forward, when it would be a lot easier to just disappear. They are to be thanked for insuring that dozens, probably hundreds of other women will not be falling prey to Keith Raniere.

One can only hope that part of this man's punishment will reflect his own sense of justice. It would include a "near starvation diet", "branding his pelvis" with the initials USA and punishment for the other inmates who "disobey his edict to only have sex with him".

I watch and read stories like these with detachment, wondering how humans can be so naive and, for lack of a better word, stupid. But then, I am human, and wonder what I may have already, and might one day, fall victim to.

One thing I find most interesting is how "slavery" was cast as "empowerment" in the group.

Raniere professed to be — "a brilliant philosopher blessed with a vision of how to create a better world." And he'll achieve it by having sex with as many women as possible. Heard that one before. Raniere: If I can even just help one person with all my power and brilliance, I will do it. Even if that one person is me.

Well, now we know two of the three best problem solvers in the world. Who is the third?

Years ago, my mother came home from one of the Nxivm workshops, talking about how it was changing her life and how wonderful and brilliant Nancy Salzman and the others were. Over time, Ms. Salzman worked on grooming my mother for a position in Nxivm. I was shocked that my mother was involved in what, even then, I could see was a cult. Fortunately, the "workshops" and participation kept getting more and more expensive and my mom decided not to put her house up as collateral to pay for their program. Today, she "doesn't remember" what she told me, but I still recall sitting in her sunlit kitchen listening to how this was life-changing and was providing her a path to her truest self. I am glad that Ms. Salzman was unable to persuade her to sell her house and buy into Nxivm. What has come out in public these last few years is much crazier than weirdness of the beginning years--and even that was pretty scary.

It is surprising to me that we are perplexed at the existence of cults such as this when they are only an obvious result of human nature and the endless ingenuity of humans is exploiting aspects of that nature. The leader is a pathological narcissist who has developed a system of maintaining his supply. The followers are no different than most average people in that they have exploitable aspects to their personality. It happens much more often that one of us falls into an exploitative relationship and comes out damaged, but our experience is commonplace, though hardly less damaging to the psyche, and easily ignored except by those closest to us.

@Sam - You mean what's the point other than due process? Other than the state having to meet its obligation to prove a person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt? Just because you find a particular defendant's ALLEGED actions offensive is no reason to do away with the protections our system affords. In fact, it's exactly these types of cases where our "slow, deliberative, rule-of-law justice system," is most critical, i.e., those cases when people's sensibilities are offended and they're itching to bring out the pitchforks and torches.

I guess some need the validation of being part of something secret to feel self important or self worth. Seems being subtly conspiratorial sometimes imparts a sense of superiority. Who will be first to cash in on a book and/or movie deal?

"Mark Vicente, a documentary filmmaker who also was once a Nxivm executive, said in an earlier interview that Mr. Raniere was highly skilled in convincing his followers that criticism of the group reflected attacks aimed at undermining him and Nxivm’s mission." This is a common theme with master manipulators... regardless of their focus of attention. Elizabeth Holmes of the now defunct Theranos follows many of the same approaches and ego fulfillment practices in her Theranos scam as well. In other words.. this is a gender neutral problem... master manipulators grifting others for power, money, and control.

Men like this (and it's always men) survive because people are both gullible and trusting. It's too bad that so many people thought this man was special. Usually, if you proclaim how smart you are and how important, it's because deep down you know you are not. I hope they throw this man in jail for a very long time and do not let him use the internet at all. Being made to become invisible would be the greatest punishment. If only we could do that to Trump!

How did a man with scraggly hair, a weak chin, and bad glasses manage to gain such power over a group of women? He looks like the sort of man that most women, probably rightfully so, wouldn't even deign to talk to.

Wouldn't ya think when he pulled out the branding iron it would be time to leave?

Clearly, any sexual activity that involved minors should be prosecuted. But much of the rest of this seems to simply be about adults making very stupid choices, and most of these women seem to have been victimized first and foremost by themselves and their decisions to participate in this nonsense. I also find it interesting that while this article very briefly (in one sentence) passingly acknowledges that Mr. Raniere demanded obedience from the men in the group as well, the article seems only concerned with how women were "victimized." Why is it that with all the current noise about equality, women are never expected to take the same responsiblity for their decisions as men are, and instead written off as "victims"?

A few years ago, I was encouraged by an acquaintance to join Raniere's "Society of Protectors," a men's group claiming to be all about fostering "strength and honor" in modern male circles. I was very fond of the person who was encouraging me to join, so I agreed to a telephone meeting with a guy named Jim Del Negro. He seemed harmless enough, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was just something very odd about the whole thing. I thought it a bit foolish at the time and eventually declined to participate, brushing SOP off as just another feel-good support group that was light on substance. Boy, was I off base! It's been fascinating to see the evolution of this case and to ponder what might have happened had I chosen to follow this guy down the rabbit hole.

90% of the time I am grateful for our slow, deliberative, rule-of-law justice system. But 10% of the time, what's the point of all this show - I wish we could be swift and Final.

And then, there are the nice guys who treat women with respect. They can't find a girlfriend.....

It is always shocking to learn of yet another cult; another dangerous charismatic leader; another group of people who engage in such deep psychological manipulation and control. It cannot be shocking to anyone that Raniere refuses to plead in this case. The leader always believes their own messianic message. The shock is that the female leaders within this cult all appeared to have success in their lives yet bent to will of this depraved conman. How in the 21st century have we not been able to educate people as to what cults look like? How have we not been able to educate people about what predators act like? Mr. Raniere will be exposed for the predator that he is during this trial. But in the end, the damage he did to women who were deceived by him and his co-conspirators will last a lifetime. One can only hope he is found guilty on all charges and the judge shows no grace or mercy for this individual. His victims deserve no less.

This is narcissism. This guy sounds like my ex-husband, who figured himself smarter than any other human, sneered at those who accomplished real things, and told me, his wife, that I was so stupid that I was 'trainable' but not 'educable'. I was an insecure doormat then. trump is the same narcissist type. And he's our president.

"Prosecutors plan to use pictures of a naked 15-year-old girl in Mr. Raniere’s bed to prove that he exploited underage women." A 15 year old girl is not an underage woman... she is a child or a girl or a minor.

Amazing to see the gullibility of some people. But then again, Trump was elected president after paying a 25 million dollar fine for fraud with Trump University, along with numerous other infractions that would have sunk the average politician. And now, after having been proven to have been helped by the Russians, his Republican support is still very high. The power of cults is much stronger than we are aware of, unfortunately.