Chasing Enlightenment

Coming Soon: Chasing Enlightenment

They called themselves the Students of Light. Their leader claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Some claim he had supernatural powers, while others call him an abusive cult leader. Hear the group’s story on Chasing Enlightenment, premiering October 4. Visit http://chasingenlightenment.net for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 1: The Vegetarians

In the 1970s, a small religious sect called the Students of Light quietly moved into the core of Toronto’s rundown Junction neighbourhood. Some former members have called the group a dangerous cult, accusing its leadership of mind control, brainwashing, and abuse.Visit chasingenlightenment.net for more information about this episode, including full credits and sources. Support our show at paypal.me/chasingenlightenment or patreon.com/chasingenlightenment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 2: The Students

Many former Students of Light tell similar stories about why they first joined. One, a woman named Treva Olson, claims the group turned her into a mindless, brainwashed follower. That is, until her family kidnapped her and had her forcibly “deprogrammed” by a famous anti-cult activist. Visit chasingenlightenment.net for more information about this episode, including full credits and sources. Support our show at paypal.me/chasingenlightenment or patreon.com/chasingenlightenment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 3: The Leader

John Hanas has been called everything from a spiritual master to an evil, manipulative man. Former followers claim he began as a humble religious leader, but some say he eventually exerted more and more control over their lives, sometimes with disastrous results. Visit chasingenlightenment.net for more information about this episode, including full credits and sources. Support our show at paypal.me/chasingenlightenment or patreon.com/chasingenlightenment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 4: The Core Group

John Hanas delegated some power to his “core group” of followers. One was a woman who claimed to channel the voices of beings from other dimensions through her body. Another, John’s eventual wife, would become almost as revered within the group as John himself.Visit chasingenlightenment.net for more information about this episode, including full credits and sources. Support our show at paypal.me/chasingenlightenment or patreon.com/chasingenlightenment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.