“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.”

• Jimi Hendrix

Meditation written and Read by Sara Raymond

Music Credit: Enlighten Me (Theta) by Christopher Lloyd Clarke from www.enlightenedaudio.com

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Buy Sara's New Book Here!

Please give a review and let the community know what you think!

Thanks so much for all of your support!

With gratitude,

Les and Sara

1:1 Sessions

PERSONALIZED HYPNOTHERAPY with Sara:

https://www.themindfulmovement.com/sara

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#relaxation #mindfulness #meditation

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Some of our Favorite Affiliates...

Sweat it out with an Infrared Sauna from Sunlighten

Feeling Stressed? This is one of our favorite tools to help...

The Apollo Use Discount Code: MINDFUL

Sleep Well on these Grounding Mats from Ultimate Longevity

It's never too late to heal from your past. There is power within you to be there for your younger self. You can provide for that part of you that needed someone... that needed love. Turn inward and practice, and allow yourself to heal. Your inner child is still there, patiently waiting for you.

Written by Les and Sara Raymond and read by Sara Raymond

Music: Coming Down by Christopher Lloyd Clarke from www.enlightenedaudio.com

---------------------------------------------

Buy Sara's New Book Here!

Please give a review and let the community know what you think!

Thanks so much for all of your support!

With gratitude,

Les and Sara

1:1 Sessions

PERSONALIZED HYPNOTHERAPY with Sara:

https://www.themindfulmovement.com/sara

---------------------------------------------

#relaxation #mindfulness #meditation

_________________________________________________________

Some of our Favorite Affiliates...

Sweat it out with an Infrared Sauna from Sunlighten

Feeling Stressed? This is one of our favorite tools to help...

The Apollo Use Discount Code: MINDFUL

Sleep Well on these Grounding Mats from Ultimate Longevity

Eager for a change in your life but unsure where to begin?

Grab your chance to uncover Inner Wisdom & Transform Your Life:

https://bit.ly/You-Are-Not-Broken-Book-Link

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In this episode of the Mindful Movement Podcast, host Les Raymond sits down with Paul Cooke, a former member of the controversial religious group The Children of God. Paul shares his deeply personal journey and how he left Brown University in search of truth, got drawn into the cult, and spent nearly a decade following its radical teachings.

Paul unpacks the psychological grip of cults, the suppression of independent thought, and the difficult process of reclaiming personal identity after years of indoctrination. His reflections on faith, critical thinking, and resilience offer valuable insights for anyone questioning belief systems or seeking personal freedom.

• What led Paul to join The Children of God and how he became fully immersed.
• How cults manipulate through control, fear, and isolation.
• The moment Paul realized he needed to escape, and how he did it.
• The psychological challenges of leaving a high-control group.
• The importance of free thinking and questioning belief systems.

[00:00] What Defines a Cult? – The key signs of manipulation and control

[02:13] Paul’s Early Years – A search for meaning leads to a radical decision

[09:35] Joining the Children of God – The moment that changed his life

[19:51] Life Inside the Cult – Daily routines, rules, and the role of literature

[33:54] Cracks in the Foundation – Questioning the leader and the first doubts

[42:32] The Turning Point – Jonestown, propaganda, and waking up

[49:03] Escaping and Rebuilding – The emotional toll of leaving

[56:14] What is True Freedom? – Faith, belief, and critical thinking

[01:12:02] Final Reflections – Lessons from Paul’s journey

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-cooke-7a6805a/
• Website: https://pauldavidcooke.com/
• Twitter: https://x.com/PaulDavidCooke/

Follow Les Raymond on Social:

• Mindful Movement Website: https://www.themindfulmovement.com/

Resources Mentioned for Mindful Movement

Find more engaging content from the Mindful Movement team on these YouTube channels:

• @TheMindfulMovement
• @TheMindfulMovementinMotion
• @TheMindfulMovementKids

#Mindfulness #CultSurvivor #Freedom #CriticalThinking #BeliefSystem #SelfDiscovery #Healing