Temple of Steal: The Unofficial Breath of Fire Companion Podcast - Podcast Rankings and reviews

Excellent podcast. The hosts’ insights gained from years of investigative journalism into Kundalini, Yogi Bhajan, 3HO, and Guru Jagat provides context and a historical take on the subject matter of the docuseries. Their less sensational critical lens is a perfect companion to the show.

After watching an emotionally charged documentary about a cult within a culture that in one level we all shared, and on another level, made no sense; these two bring a sense of rationality and comfort that comes with understanding.

To me, this podcast and considered commentary is as important as watching the series.

As a teenager in L.A, I used to see Leonardo DiCaprio’s stepmom, a white lady wearing a Sikh turban, emerge from her kundalini yoga classes off Los Feliz, while just a few blocks down the street, Scientologists waited for their bait to come around the corner (maybe you, $20 green turmeric smoothie in hand). I watched a childhood friend get wrapped up, at a young age, in white washed kundalini and Ayahuasca communities and felt uneasy with each community’s cultural appropriation. Then the pandemic hit and this friend starting messaging me (an immune compromised person) apocalyptic anti-vax conspiracy theories. Somehow this rainbow gathering dancing, vegan, love and light girly had reached the far right. And in tunnels of her unrealities, we lost each other.

Thanks to this podcast, I know understand how Kundalini’s leadership influenced my friend and the structures of abuse that harmed so many people. I also now understand that the Sikh religion is totally separate from Kundalini and I encourage everyone to learn about that beautiful religion for yourself.

Thank you for your thorough and compassionate journalism!

The docuseries switches back and forth between the two “teachers’ who are from different generation - sometimes with such an abrupt subject switch that it’s jarring, or takes a minute to keep it straight.

The podcast gives more context, dives deeper into how one may have beget the other, and then goes deeper into the story. Their years of investigating and researching 3HO means we learn more about the fraud, the corruption, the horrors visited on the children in India. In fact, this podcast informs the show. If you like proper investigative journalism, this is for you.