John, as a free and independent person, you are of course entitled to do and believe whatever you want, and I appreciate that you at least appear to be open to discussing it, but I always get a little frustrated with followers or Prem Rawat who make these blanket assumptions that all the problems are always everybody else's fault and never due to Rawat himself.

I personally think this is defensive thinking.  Because you believe that Prem Rawat is essential to "knowledge," you bend over backwards to refrain from noticing his faults, and blame others for them, because a belief in Prem Rawat as an unselfish, moral, giving and caring being is important to the belief system, and causes "doubt" if you entertain the possibility that it isn't true -- which belief system you think you need to have the "peace" you say you get.  That seems to have happened to you a little when you read Bob Mishler's testimony.

When it's impossible to overlook his faults, you say they don't matter and quickly move on from there, usually with some kind of blanket "it's all hogwash" comment, never dealing with any of the specifics.  This seems to be how you rationalized Mishler's comments.  You didn't say they were "all lies," you said it didn't matter.

This kind of rationalization would be unthinkable in any other situation you would encounter in your life, so the question is, why does it apply to Rawat?  Why is he treated differently?  Is it because you think there is something inherently special about him that sets him apart from any other human being and he shouldn't be held to the same standards?

You wouldn't let your kids (if you have any), get away from blaming everybody else and never taking responsibility, even if they claim to be in charge, would you?  How about your political leaders, minister, or how about your attorney?

Also, do you really believe the Prem Rawat is essential to the experience of peace you claim to have?  Do you have to watch videos and go to programs to get that experience you like?  If so, why?

I think most of us who have stopped following Rawat after doing so for many years, don't have any problem with enjoying meditation or doing things in your life that make you happy.   That's a personal choice, just like how some people like Yoga or TM.

The problem we have is attributing those good experiences to Prem Rawat, and his endless attempts to try to convince his followers that he is, indeed, essential.   And what about the "bad" experiences you have in knowledge?  I'm sure you've been bored listening to him, or you were unable to concentrate in meditation, etc., is that due to Rawat, too?

I think what we have found out is that he didn't have anything to do with the good experiences we had as premies.  Many of us also found out that it cost us a lot to be his devotees, and we hold him responsible for some of that cost, something has never even acknowledged, let alone taken any responsiblity for.