- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: University of Illinois Press; Reprint edition (30 Jun 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0252065662
- ISBN-13: 978-0252065668
- Product Dimensions: 2.3 x 1.5 x 0.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
1,154,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Hinduism > Hare Krishna
- #84 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Hinduism > Mythology
- #98 in Books > Biography > Religious > Hinduism
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
"An important insider critique of a disturbing era in ISKON's history." - Publisher's Weekly "Scholars of religion will find much of value in Muster's thoughtful and well written account. Anti-cultists will find ammunition for their crusade as well." -- Catherine Wessinger, Nova Religio
Product Description
Combining behind-the-scenes coverage of an often besieged religious group with a personal account of one woman's struggle to find meaning in it, "Betrayal of the Spirit" takes readers to the center of life in the Hare Krishna movement. Nori J. Muster joined the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) - the Hare Krishnas - in 1978, shortly after the death of the movement's spiritual master, and worked for ten years as a public relations secretary and editor of the organization's newspaper, the "ISKCON World Review". In this candid and critical account, Muster follows the inner workings of the movement and the Hare Krishnas' progressive decline. Combining personal reminiscences, published articles, and internal documents, "Betrayal of the Spirit" details the scandals that beset the Krishnas - drug dealing, weapons stockpiling, deceptive fundraising, child abuse, and murder within ISKCON - as well as the dynamics of schisms that forced some 95 per cent of the group's original members to leave. In the midst of this institutional disarray, Muster continued her personal search for truth and religious meaning as an ISKCON member until, disillusioned at last with the movement's internal divisions, she quit her job and left the organization. In a new preface to the paperback edition, Muster discusses the personal circumstances that led her to ISKCON and kept her there as the movement's image worsened. She also talks about "the darkest secret" - child abuse in the ISKCON parochial schools - that was covered up by the public relations office where she worked.
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First Sentence
The Hare Krishnas' Western world headquarters is on a residential street in West Los Angeles called Watseka Avenue, just off Venice Boulevard near Culver City. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The Hare Krishnas' Western world headquarters is on a residential street in West Los Angeles called Watseka Avenue, just off Venice Boulevard near Culver City. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is an account of what happens when those who claim to follow the world's oldest scriptures (the Veda's) are actually acting to the contrary. I am sure there are many good Hare Krishna and other Hindu devotees who are sincere, but in all religions there seem to be a group of people who are hypocrites. No religion should be condemmed because of these people, or all religions would be victims. The book tells about those who are good and strict devotees who don't strive to do sinful things and also accounts those who don't exemplify a real Hare Krishna and are not following the Vedic scripture, but just claim to be. This is account that could be applied to all religious paths and their followers. It draws a picture of both sides of a coin and looks at what scholars call the "world's oldest religion" and what other people call a "cult".
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The book narrates a moving story which shows from a personal point of view how difficult it is not to conform to mainstream culture. But it is not insightful about the larger Vaishnava movement in America or in India. For that read Klostermaier's ``Hindu and Christian in Vrindavan'' or his newer ``A Short Introduction to Hinduism.''
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Nori Muster's book, Betrayal of The Spirit, can help other people to understand their own journey better. Throughout, she has acknowledged what happened when certain souls took free rein with C & M, control and manipulation, and the high prices paid by the many when these abuses took place. The fact that she was able to grow in relationship with her father during this time is a tribute to them both, and those parts of her story make the reading well worth the price of the book. For anyone who ever wonders about life in ANY heirarchal spiritual organization, PLEASE read this book. You will gain information to help you keep both your eyes and hearts open for the rest of your days. Whilst some people will do darn near anything in the name of adoration and their own glorification, we also learn about the deep essential goodness which other souls will always support. Thank you, Ms. Muster, for doing this world a favor and bringing this book to life. The seeds which you have planted will reap a strong harvest on the side of Truth for long, long time to come.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The spiritual odyssey of a Krishna follower
The author was looking for a spiritual direction in her life, and she found that in the Hare Krishna movement. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Rama Rao
Another Devotees Opinion
I am a practacing devotee of the Hare Krishna movement, and have been so for the past six years or so. Read more
Published on 23 July 2002
great example of what a true seeker should NOT do
This is a great book for teaching by example what one should NOT do if they wish to see Lord Krishna's smiling face behind His material nature's bewildering veil. Read more
Published on 3 July 1999
A disillusioned Krishna member's recollection
Nori J. Muster joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) - the Hare Krishnas - in 1978. Read more
Published on 14 Dec 1998
A gripping page-turner
Ms. Muster's book is a compelling read. Her personal accounts of life inside the Hare Krishna movement draw us in, leaving us wanting more.
Published on 9 Dec 1998
Cult followers wake up.
This well written book of life in a cult should be read by anyone contemplating joining any organization. Beware all naive "true believers"! Read more
Published on 6 Dec 1998
This book is a facinating look at the Krishna movement.
Betrayal of the Spirit was a riveting, well written look at the Krishna movement. I enjoyed the way the author wove the history of the movement with her own personal experience as... Read more
Published on 6 Dec 1998
Accurate portrayal of the Hare Krishna cult in crisis
An unusual insider account of the Hare Krishna cult by someone who survived the experience. Muster, initially naive, finds herself at the center of a maelstrom as the organization... Read more
Published on 5 Dec 1998
an illuminating picture of a young woman's struggle
I loved Nori Muster's book, "Betrayal of the Spirit". It took me back to the old days in Los Angeles when I lived near the Hare Krishna Temple with my ex husband,... Read more
Published on 5 Dec 1998
An eye opening insight into the hidden world of Hare Krishna
Ms. Muster takes us into a world we never see, much the way Jim Bouton once took us behind baseball, and others have taken us into political campaigns, cinema and many other... Read more
Published on 5 Dec 1998
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