I have posted some amateur observations, for those who know even less than I do, but suffice it to say, leaving a cult is a very difficult thing to do.
Hate and exclusion, projecting ALL of one's doubts, fears, weaknesses and failures onto "those others" is extremely powerful.
Fascist and Charlatan playbook. You know their names.
Some of the reasons I have found for leaving are: hitting rock bottom, feeling betrayed by the leader, inability to further hold in one's mind the lies and contradictions a cult thrives on, and so on.
But one other is simply encountering the usual down moments in life, and realizing that the leader and cult are in it for themselves only, and you are the nobody you sought to be when surrendering your individuality.
And in those times, one might just realize that one's individuality is treasured (outside the cult) as the beautiful person who fell for the drug of "It's the other guy" and not realize the beauty and power of being a unique person with the gumption to recognize the beauty in all others, to foster positive change in oneself and others, to be part of a mutually beneficial society.
Those, hopefully, were what they experienced as part of a family, with loving and generous parents. The tipping point is when one realizes gratitude for all the gifts one has been given, rather than envy for the lie that others have taken everything away from you.
The most precious gift, one's individuality, "what makes you both equal to others and different in what makes you YOU" and your ability to adapt and improve yourself and all around you, is something you GAVE AWAY to manipulators who "legitimized" blaming others instead.
We all do this to some extent. I think it's "wired" in how western society works, in a "me versus you" way.
The process is so destructive. One can only be an example of the higher and happier path. And call out the cult mentality and hold their leaders accountable for their "unmutual" disdain for their zombied followers.
Such followers are "loved" only for their surrender of self and clinging to a very narrow group identity, being another poison ivy plant in a thicket of the same, rather than a blossoming of self in a garden of many uniquely beautiful flowers all thriving from the same soil, water and light.
That is the universe's/God's delight, and our delight as well. I strive to be happy and grateful, not out of spite, nor as an example, even when "dammit, it works out that way"
It's just "right" 🪷
Pardon the verbosity. If I had more time, I'd have said less. 😉
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