So I've got a theory as to why Rawat is using this kind of New Age est-like mindfucking to squash people.

I agree with your theory.  At a guess I'd say the attendees were largely people who would've been considered marginals back in the dreamtime, & who felt themselves flattered to be approached to finally be near the heart of the action with the new laid back Rawat.  What an unpleasant surprise, & they had to pay for it too.   Anyone know why Arundel was chosen as the venue & how much they had to pay. I recollect someone telling me about these trainings around that time & a figure of £350 rings a bell, but I can't remember for sure.....there might've been some sort of sliding scale depending on location.  I wasn't interested.