How did I believe that? A cult survivor looks back at his lost years

In the new podcast former sect members reflect on end times, warnings of ‘astral larvae’ lurking in nightclubs and being in thrall to charismatic leaders – and the embarrassment and shame they feel now Dave Mullins can’t quite believe he devoted 10 years of his life to a lie. Idealistic and open-minded, he was 19 when he saw an advertisement for a free workshop on out-of-body experiences in Sydney. There he met a captivating, charismatic teacher who was thought to be able to read minds. Sign ...

By Daisy Dumas