The Cults of Personality and Religious Trauma

For many years, I was teaching in spiritual centers and groups throughout South Africa, even from the early age of 17. Myself and a fellow clairvoyant traveled across the country, running workshops and teaching spiritual and psychic development. Even before I had truly dealt with my emotional issues or had a deep understanding of them, I was already deeply embedded in the esoteric world. This immersion led me to fall in love with these teachings.

However, I quickly noticed how people abused the teachings. The truth is that many principles within the occult world are inherently powerful—and power, when mishandled, is dangerous. As quoted in the classic movie The Craft: “True magic is neither black nor white. It’s both. Because nature is both loving and cruel all at the same time.”

Magic is not inherently good or evil. It is a neutral force, and the morality lies in the hands of the practitioner. When people who haven’t done their internal work begin wielding power to compensate for emotional deficits, the result is often disastrous. And history is littered with examples of so-called “cults” that have ended in tragedy.

In today’s episode, we explore the anatomy of bad cults—not just the sensationalist stories, but also the subtle psychological conditioning that occurs in less obvious spiritual and religious circles. These are the patterns that shape us, even from well-meaning light traditions.

So let me formally welcome you: I’m Adam Knox. This is The Cult of You. Live deliciously.

When I named the channel, I stylized “you” as “v” in homage to witch house music culture. But beyond that, the V also references anatomical symbolism, the pentagram (five), and rebellion against rigid spiritual orthodoxy. At first, the branding just felt cool. Later, I realized it needed to stand apart from unhealthy cult archetypes that were doing similar things in name, but not in intention.

You see, I pulled away from public teaching because people were misusing what I taught. The techniques in hypnosis, linguistics, and trance I had been working with since my youth were incredibly effective. But effectiveness cuts both ways. Just like marketing and mass media do, these tools shape human behavior. In the wrong hands, they can be manipulative. That reality made me retreat into my private order, the Order of Delirious Science.

But eventually, I returned. What brought me back was a report of a tantra teacher using energetic practices to seduce and manipulate women. This person wasn’t evolved. They just knew how to trigger a neurochemical high. And in a world where people are emotionally starved, that kind of experience becomes addictive.

There are patterns in NLP and underground hypnosis that can be deeply dangerous. I’m not exaggerating. I know because I trained in them. And when desperate people encounter someone who knows how to manipulate, they can become psychologically enslaved.

This is why I oppose many right-hand path traditions. Not for their beliefs, but for how they prey on vulnerability to build followings and increase profit. My preference is to collaborate with fellow gods, not to lead the blind. This, ultimately, is why I created The Cult of You.

Because the only cult you should ever be a part of is the one that centers you. You are responsible for your reality. You hold the intelligence, power, and capacity to change your life. But many people don’t know that. Or worse, they’re told they can’t access that power without a guru, a group, or an external salvation.

It’s not enough to tell people they’re powerful. You have to show them how to unlock it.

So let’s define a “bad cult.” It often involves dependency. You depend on the leader, the teachings, or the community for your sense of worth or identity. Even sincere teachers can become compromised if their livelihood depends solely on the group. Bias creeps in, and soon survival overrides integrity.

One major red flag is isolation. If you are separated from family or friends and encouraged to see them as less evolved or unenlightened, it creates a psychological schism. The same happens internally if parts of yourself are rejected in favor of a higher spiritual self. You become fragmented and more dependent on the group to feel whole.

Another red flag: unquestionable rules. If you can’t test the teachings, or you’re told you’ll only understand once you’re initiated enough, that’s a trap. Real knowledge should be testable and verifiable, not dogma dressed up as divine truth.

Status hierarchy is another issue. When your self-worth becomes linked to spiritual ranking or community validation, it creates fear of loss and dependence. This affects your nervous system, health, and capacity to think clearly.

Pain and pleasure conditioning is often used to reinforce compliance. You obey, you’re praised. You question, you’re shunned or punished. These mechanisms are profoundly powerful, and they shape behavior at a deep unconscious level.

Another major problem is the myth of non-repeatable experiences. You’re told that something magical happened, but only the inner circle witnessed it. That’s not real evidence. In genuine occult practice, experiences can be replicated and verified.

Religious trauma is a major theme. Many people live with a subconscious belief that they are sinners, fundamentally bad, or that they can never be good enough. This produces anxiety, disconnection from the body, repression of sexuality, and chronic guilt. It leads to perfectionism, hypervigilance, and inability to trust oneself.

Manipulative groups often weaponize these traumas. They present salvation, love, or pleasure as things that must be earned by obedience. They convince you that joy is scarce and must be granted by the group or its leader. This is psychological enslavement.

So how do you protect yourself?

Start by reclaiming your emotions. Make joy, connection, and love internal experiences. When you stop needing these from others, you become less susceptible to manipulation.

Have a model of reality that presupposes your value. Love yourself. Trust your own voice. Believe in your magic.

Build a strong support network. Surround yourself with people who question ideas and encourage your growth. Study. Ask questions. Know your boundaries. Speak your truth.

And if something doesn’t feel right? Walk away. Even if it’s hard. Especially if it’s hard. That’s what freedom looks like.

The Cult of You is a movement dedicated to empowering you to become your own center of gravity. You are the secret. You are the ritual. You are the god you’ve been seeking.

Live deliciously. Trust yourself. And build a life that reflects your magic.