606 thoughts on “Am I in a Cult?”

1. Your two examples clearly show which cult, if we consider that both examples could be given that label, is of benefit to society and brings a healthier more rounded life but if some decide to instead choose the more self centred way it is their perogative and a learning that will eventually have them realising the misery that this leads to.

2. The impact on my vitality and wellbeing when I drop from life #1 to life #2 is very apparent and obvious. There are certainly (at least) physical and physiological implications even dipping into life #2.

3. I do really love the the truth of ‘every day is a new’ day, instead of the concept or the illusion that every day is a continuation of yesterday. At any moment of time we can simply make a change, the change that otherwise would be very difficult to make because we included yesterday’s history in it.

   1. This is built in by design of the cycles we continuously go round in!

4. Enjoying work. What is wrong with that I would say compared to the more used expression is ‘I hate work’ in life 2 otherwise.

5. It’s so telling that we laugh at others and not with them. What an insecurity is building that inside of us, and how damaging is it for other people.

   1. We are so used to doing that Victoria, to laugh about people because of what they do or how they behave without a willingness to understand why they are as they are. What we do instead, is we make ourselves bigger or more, but absolutely not equal which is very damaging indeed.

6. We cultivate a culture that makes us so much less, that criticises, slanders and denigrates – and suggests that anything that steps outside that is not right. Where’s the sense in that?

7. I love that tomorrow is a brand new day. We can start afresh anytime. We don’t have to bring old baggage to relationships even if we’ve been that way with that person all our lives, or they a certain way with us. I know I’ve had relationships where people have treated me a certain way and, because I’ve simply observed this and introduced who I am to the relationship each time either of us go into old roles, most people have started to relate to me differently. We are all growing and changing all the time. It’s imposing to have judged someone based on how they were with me once, especially when everyone is amazing beneath any unpleasant behaviours they may feel they have to exhibit for whatever reason.

8. A life of comfort that leaves you depleted, ill and exhausted dependant on stimulants to ‘get through life’ or a life full of purpose commitment and love. I will choose love and vitality every time.

9. There is no normal, everyone’s details in their lives differ. Your way of living your life has changed dramatically Michael and the two examples are poles apart with the quality lived. No-one should be allowed to criticise either way, but your number one choice is definitely more purposeful.

10. On paper we marvel at life #1, however in practice is it so clear cut? Although we can identify that life #2 is self-obsessed and ultimately a cult of individuality we still dip in and out to some degree. What is it about life #2 that keeps us coming back for more even in the face of life’s riches of #1?

11. Yes, there definitely is a steadiness that develops when one starts with self-care and self-love. As you shared in ‘Life number one’, a ‘domino effect does occur in all other aspects of life and relationships when the first ‘self-love’ domino falls… With such positive and all round benefits, it is staggering to think that self-love and self-care are associated with cult behaviour?…

12. Doing ‘just what we have to get by’ is soul destroying – there is no true joy possible without living in a way that has purpose and commitment in the world, and from this, we learn true service for the all rather that self serving the individual that craves the comfortable life.

13. A life of comfort and indulgences verses a life of purpose and genuine love, I know which one I prefer living… when we realise and choose to make life about the truth of who we are no comfort can compare.

14. If people want to change their lives and get healthier why should that then be portrayed as being a bad thing? Surely, the choices to not look at our state of health and how we are running our lives should be the focus.

    1. It doesn’t makes sense does it that to try an belittle, attack or sully the name of a group of people who are actually choosing to make healthier choices and maintain them. Surely, we all want to live healthier, more vital lives and to make it look like a bad thing is an odd thing. Of course, this does bring up a challenge for those that do not want to change or look at their choices, but they are free also to make this choice if they choose.

15. What i can hear from life number one is the JOY & EASE of living who you naturally are, and in turn the joyful permission that this presents to others.

16. The life we currently lead does not conceal the fact it does not add up. So how can we can attack others who question the status quo when we sit so deep in misery and pain?

    1. A bit like a domestic abuser giving marital counselling advice… nonsensical surely?

       1. A great analogy, Michael. It doesn’t make sense to attack others who choose to come out of the misery, pain and general given-up-ness on life and who then find a way of achieving greater vitality, health and well-being. Taking a step back it is nonsensical, for who in their heart doesn’t truly want more joy in their life?

    2. It’s pure jealousy. If we have not made the choices ourselves that will take us out of misery we are furious at ourselves and therefore attack others so we do not have to feel this.

17. When we live disconnected from ourselves life becomes a slog, we cannot be bothered and feel horrible, so it would make sense that we would further abuse our bodies with drinking, distractions or food because we don’t want to feel or be responsible . I am deeply thankful to Universal Medicine that I no longer live this way.

    1. I agree Fiona – life is a real struggle and slog when in disconnection from ourselves. Universal Medicine continues to inspire me to make new choices and live differently.

18. I get from this blog that it would definitely serve me perhaps at the end of my day to reflect on the whole day as a cycle to support me and my growth, Reflecting on the whole day offers a greater awareness and understanding of how my movements can play out so that I can re-imprint in the cycle of a new day.

19. If making loving choices for myself and others; where possible my actions and behaviours are harmless; endeavour to treat everyone equally irrespective of colour, gender or age; and the people with whom I choose to spend my leisure time, then I am in a cult.

20. This phrase is hilariously absurd, ‘put me in the middle of a cult’. When did we decide that the media, ‘journalists’ with hidden agendas or anyone for that matter could place or categorise us into any ‘box’ that is part of their story designed to make money and have a ‘wow’ effect or shock factor to the public.

21. To think that disagreements between friends, the colour of our skins, the amount we get paid, or whether we have the latest iPhone actually matters is just subscribing to us being so small. It’s this outlook that has been ruling the world for too long. It’s time we broadened our horizons and saw our place in the Universal scheme of things. Thank you Michael.

22. For me, it is not a question about whether I am in a cult, but rather, am I living the truth that I know? Because Universal Medicine is not a cult, so there is no justification required. And so living the truth that I know becomes a far greater enquiry, one that leads to greater awareness and the unveiling of the energetic sciences of life.

23. If you could say I’m a cult, its one amazing cult and I have no intention of leaving.

24. It’s a convenient lie to label those who have made significant life changes part of a cult, it is a lie that keeps so many more from knowing who they truly are. Where we need to start being honest about the ills in the many systems which keep us away from truth and which we have become so heavily invested in.

25. The cult of modern society spawns obesity, heart disease, cancer and possibly worst of all screen addiction that means we are lost to each other… A cult that has that as its results isn’t one I’m interested in.

    1. Great perspective Heather, at what point do we hold ‘the norm’ accountable for its results?

26. Being in a cult is when we are so blinkered by our ideals and beliefs that we can’t see or won’t see the truth right before us.

27. What an awesome definition of what it means to be in a cult – “Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success.” That pretty much sums up the whole world.

28. The beauty of the so called ‘cult’ feels amazing and so honouring of all we are, and asks what’s the difference, and what is the real cult that has become normal and so harmful and against all we innately are. A very inquiring and an intriguing understanding of our living way.

29. Two scenarios, so far apart in the quality of life lived. One supporting a young man to retain the tenderness that he naturally is and to contribute to the world in many wonderful ways. The other encouraging him to be someone else, someone who has to bury his tenderness and sensitivity to be able to survive in the world, a world he makes all about him and his mates, and no one else. If the decision as to which life to live had to be made surely common sense would dictate scenario one, but in this crazy mixed up world it appears that common sense doesn’t figure very often.

30. The Self or the All, when we begin to make life about love, responsibility and all of humanity and not our own preoccupations this is not considered ‘normal’ and it is true it is a different approach to life that is not seen much in the world, this however does not make it ‘cultish’ behaviour. Not being mainstream is not a crime, we can see how standing for something different and not towing the line on social norms encounters big resistance and attack. I will not change my perspective and focus in life, self-care, self-love, responsibility, with a responsiveness to learn are now corner stones of my life and I know when I choose these, then I support the whole of humanity. This is what I have learnt, the wisdom of Universal Medicine courses – truly nurture ourselves and we support the all.

31. I don’t care what other people call it, for me the word cult is not what I would apply to Universal Medicine. My association with Universal Medicine is one I feel blessed by, because thanks to the inspiring presentations of Serge Benhayon, Natalie Benhayon and the wise words and healing from all the therapy sessions I have had with practitioners, I have been living a healthy life and am making more healthy choices.

32. Yes, we are in fact blind, deaf, dumb and mute – all in one and solely motivated by our needs whilst fast asleep to what is really going on.

33. That cult sounds like fun – commitment, early nights, very early mornings, gainful employ, no booze, no drizzle, no mumbo jumbo; no normalcy. Where can I sign up?

34. I love these explorations of what a ‘being in a cult’ actually means. This is one of many phrases that gets thrown around with abandon and great harm and needs to be exposed for the conjecture, lies and falseness that it incites.

35. If someone has already decided that you are in a ‘cult’ there is nothing much that can be done to change their mind. Anything you say from that moment on will be deemed as ‘brainwashed’ and not worthy of taking seriously. Taking care of our reaction to this is the best thing we can do, and simply continue to live as we live without concern of what others may think.

36. If harm is being perpetrated, yes of course it is our responsibility to speak up about it, cult or otherwise. If not can we not be inspired by each other, grow in awareness and live in a way that is in full respect of our unified nature.

37. A way of life ..is a way of life. And to be measured by its quality and all it stands for. If I am in a cult for living life with willingness and obedience to my own relationship with God, true to myself the the best of my ability –then so be it.

38. What you have simply described here are two opposing choices, one to make life about people, humanity and purpose and the other that reduces life down to “all about me and everything that suits me” – One where there is freedom to live universally, and one where there is no such freedom. It’s clear which one is criminal and imprisoning.

39. Once I have felt the lightness and vitality in the way of living, as opposed to heavy and sluggish, for me it was a no brainer which way of living was working and how I wanted to continue in life.

    1. So no decision making or complicated thinking to it at all… the simplicity of choices made from our whole body intelligence.

40. The truth is when you have lived the two different approaches in life the one where you say no to what is not you and connect to your soul and live from this essence and how magical yet deeply practical. Then one where you numb yourself endlessly with distraction, drugs, alcohol, food – whatever it takes. It is obviously clear what is in agreement to my natural innate being.

41. Interesting how someone can get labeled as being part of a cult and “watch out for them” or “keep an eye on them” and the ridiculousness of that. “Watch out they may talk to you about gong to bed early and how good it is for you!” “Watch out they may come along on a work night out and not drink!” The fear created by that word is out of step with the reality of what is happening, which there are people who are building there self-esteem so much that they no longer need crutches in life and participate in things that someone feel is harmful to them and wait for it……they are becoming more committed to life that they are engaging in their communities and families and are becoming rock solid support for other people.

    1. It is quite humourous really and yes ridiculous… it is more convenient to fabricate a sensationalist story than be willing to expose ourselves and the lies we have swallowed. While we point the finger at others we distract from what is fermenting in our own backyard.

       1. We distract from our very own and coveted skeletons in the closet which we try to guard fiercely and to the very end – nearly, but not quite. The skeletons won’t get a ticket to Sirius, I hear.

    2. Until I was willing to even consider the part I play in things and the choices I make, I definitely denigrated other people making inspiring and responsible choices because it rocked my boat. Undiluted defence of self.

42. If the word cult has it’s origins in meaning ‘homage to divinity’ then it appears that the issue is in not so much with the word, it is what we make of it, falsely assume, and label based on our own ignorance.

    1. I wasn’t aware that was the origin of the word, thank you for sharing that Victoria.

    2. Wow how far the meanings of words have gone. To discuss the word now, its completely the opposite and for the most part we don’t even realise it’s occurring, we just accept that, that is the meaning of a word. It really highlights how we can harm people with the words we choose and the way we use them.

43. The ‘me’ ness is so deeply ingrained in our culture. We have cultivated a cult of individuality that comes at a huge culminative cost – to our body, our heart and our vitality. We are so much better off free of living thinking life is all about me.

44. What is life? I really don’t have a picture anymore as what I have been told has not worked for me, and what I have reacted against has not worked either. So I am feeling to just surrender to the body and what it is telling me.

45. The ideal, as described here in this article, of having the good looking wife, fast cars etc. is very pertinent during these modern times as I have noticed that the pressure to preform and to achieve these things is very high and yet often does not lead to a sense of abundance, but rather a need for seeking more, even though everything on the surface is great and achieved.

46. More and more I begin to understand the ridiculousness of claiming that Universal Medicine is a cult. There are so many movements in the world at the moment which are striving for a change in what we deem as normal and they are all being attacked with the same claims. We as a society, are so afraid of being shown up that anybody who is different gets completely drenched in our lies, judgements and everything else we can throw at them. How sad is that, rather than appreciating the fact that that person is showing us there’s another way out of our misery…

47. The Cult of Individualism is a term I heard lightheartedly played with the other day, but that is exactly the lifestyle 2 you describe Michael, a life where one is “building a life such that it is all about me and everything that suits me”, with an attitude of “I’ll do only what I have to”, and think nothing of “verbally defecating on the other group”: The Cult of Individualism.

    1. Whenever I am in public with others who don’t play “the Cult of Individualism” game, I notice that many people are drawn to what they observe. It seems that the expanded, love, joy, harmony of Life Number One is what most of us actually prefer, yet our many ideals and beliefs keep taking us back to the familiar patterns of Life Number Two.

       I know personally I have had to keep noticing and work at letting go of many such beliefs because I have been inspired to build a greater level of Life Number One in my life and in the world.

       1. To me it’s not so much the ideals and beliefs themselves but the comfort they bring if we choose to succumb ourselves to them.

48. The word ‘cult’ is so strange. It refers to a collective group of people who cannot think for themselves. But any group of people is made up of individuals who are totally capable of thinking for themselves. It’s somehow easier when one wants to attack to focus on the collective which makes individuals obsolete and overlooked. It’s the same with any group of people, such as race or ethnicity, sexuality or religion. The individual is somehow forgotten and becomes part of a mass of people who can be judged and slandered without any concern for who they are or any respect for their choices.

    1. You make an astute observation. This is very widespread “It’s somehow easier when one wants to attack to focus on the collective which makes individuals obsolete and overlooked” and from there we have a void of any respect and honouring of the individuals and their choices. Throughout history has happened, where people were reduced to being a member of a group characterised by some trait or another (and some of these traits might have even been imagined and made up!). What a travesty that nothing has changed as we can see this is still going on today.

    2. I always used to think of a cult as being those brainwashed, yet the more I understand about the definition the more I see you can technically apply it to just about every group in the world. However, it is the negative connotations of cult that are used to tarnish the great work that Universal Medicine offer.

49. It is absolutely insulting to be called a cult member. It is demeaning, those who say such things know exactly what they are doing and it says more about them than anything. I sleep really well at night I hear 85% of people don’t, I bet these journalist and ‘informants’ don’t.

50. If we were from another planet and were observing Earth, we would notice so many bizarre behaviours performed en masse, such as: going to a football stadium, getting emotional, chanting and fighting one another, and at times going on a rampage afterwards – getting together eating and drinking in a way that makes people sick and erratic afterwards – rallying behind some belief or another and then harming and even killing others because they are different – stockpiling and at times destroying excess food while in another part of the globe there are people starving – and it goes on and on.
    With all of this going on, it is curious that those who actually choose to live in a way that honours themselves, all others and the universe start being called a cult. We need a serious reality check.

    1. The thing that’s becoming so clear to everyone is we don’t need to be aliens to see this behaviour for what it is, it’s there to be observed and seen for what it is, as the totally denatured way of life created and accepted as our everyday.

51. ‘This life is all about purpose, commitment to life, work and people’ – a beautiful summing up of what the Ageless Wisdom teachings offer. I choose life number one.

52. Number one life is so joyful that for some it will be hard to witness and they’ll want to squash it knowing that it has not been what they have chosen.

    1. Yes, jealousy can produce violent reactions in some, even as they know deep inside that if they made different choices they too could live more joyfully. Expressing lies about an organization they don’t really know much about – don’t they feel any responsibility for that – or are they so numb and so hurt they are beyond feeling?

53. Very true Jane. People who are lost and desperate are easily persuaded into groups that are called cults because they literally don’t know who they are. How crazy is it then that a group of people who are feeling empowered because they are dedicated to connecting to the truth of who they are should be called a cult.

54. Living life number 1 is something we all know deeply, the love inside us that brings a true joy and purpose to life in every possible way. It is sad to feel the contrast in the check out, harming, ill health and lack of responsibility that comes with life no 2. To realise this is the true cult, way of beliefs, ideals, falsities and disconnection to our very essence and purpose that is accepted as normal in the world today.

55. Interesting that we do not allow a society where both can live freely side by side…

    1. Great point Michael… perhaps because it exposes the lie we are living if we’ve chosen life 2?

    2. Good point. It’s interesting that a group of people, living their lives, making healthy changes, contributing to society causes such a stir. The boat seems to get rocked by the reaction to this way of living rather than that way of living doing the rocking.

56. Not only has Universal Medicine been labelled a cult, but someone or something is in place that keeps the word ‘cult’ associated with ‘Universal Medicine’ for anyone who uses the search engine Google to learn more about the organisation. The ‘cult’ labelled articles that appear on Page 1 of any Google search for Universal medicine are from 2012 and 2015 – i.e. out of date, and the one article that is from 2018 is simply a rehash of the words from 2012, it doesn’t make sense and is obviously a piece of negative journalism designed to cause maximum harm to Universal Medicine.

57. If you want to know if you’re in a cult…. look around and see if actions and behaviours match what is spoken. If they do, then you’re all good. If they don’t stack up, i’d start to reconsider my alignment.

58. Great blog Michael, and may I add that not only do the “presentations, workshops and retreats” share so much about a way to live without the impositions that we have used to judge and control so much of life but also the ways to unravel or “re-imprint” those ill ways of living!

59. It does seem crazy that when people are really looking at their choices in life that they would then be described as being in a cult. For many years I was in the cult of dieting – every day I would follow the instructions of an organisation that told me what was good to eat, how many calories I should consume, I would turn up at a club to be weighed and to do some specific keep fit exercises. Our food choices and exercise during the week were scrutinised and depending on what those scales said we either felt great or defeated.There was many of us following these dieting tips and techniques, and each week we would pay our hard earned money, and then vow to follow the dieting tips to the letter for the week ahead.

60. The cult of normalcy, aka. scenario 2, sounds like a nightmare compared to the vibrancy and lightness of scenario 1.

61. “My hard-earned money in this life is spent on fast food (drive-throughs a particular favourite), cigarettes, alcohol and fizzy sugary ‘energy’ (after which I have no energy) drinks.” Very revealing of what we fundamentally choose – Soul, or false security and glamourised success. We are in fact ‘spending’ energy (aligning) – what we get for our ‘money’ is the lived reality of this choice.

62. Our world is upside down when we label someone or people as being a part of a cult because they have chosen to live a wholesome life style. Perhaps it puts our own choices front and centre. So rather than see them in their entirety we would rather concoct a story that takes the pressure of our own choices. But that labels someone for their self loving choices in a negative way. Since when has self-loving choices been a negative thing? My doctor certainly doesn’t think so.

63. Its actually very weird that we label someone as being a part of a cult because they are choosing to live a wholesome life. Is it that we have moved so far away from living this, that we would rather label someone as being part of a cult, rather than look at our own life and see how far away from wholesome we have become?

    1. Things have become very extreme and it’s so in this case – calling in the complete opposite to justify not taking responsibility for their own actions and choices.

       1. Yes, it’s true the extremes we are prepared to go to just to justify ourselves for not taking greater responsibility. For myself I can easily say, It’s much easier to blame someone else and point the finger, rather than look inward at my own choices. Feeling my own waywardness is an uncomfortable process, and one I often try to avoid, but well worth getting to in the end.

64. It’s amazing how everyone is so scared and offended by this word. Why not simply live how we want to live based on the truth that we can feel. If that is given a label, why do we care?

65. When you put the two different lives next to one another like this, it really exposes the self-centred and quite given up mindset of the second life, which most of us have or are still choosing. It is not easy for us to give up the self and the seeming comfort of living life just for yourself, but in actual fact it is a prison that keeps us disconnected from the love and joy that is there to tap into.

66. “Life Number One” for me any day – I don’t care whatever name or label anyone chooses to put on it.

67. Calling someone a cult member is a great way to attempt to discredit him or her. In many ways it is like identity fraud, in that an attempt is made to rob a person of who they are.

68. Yes, I remember the days of not getting out of bed or doing anything unless I had to. Those days were probably when I was at my most miserable because I had no purpose and life had no meaning. Thanks to the constant inspiration of Serge Benhayon and his family, I now know what it feels like to wake up feeling joyful and ready to embrace the day in full.

69. “Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success.” A simple and to the point definition of cult, that leaves no room fro second guessing or (mis)interpretation.

70. I am beginning to see how life supports me sometimes in ways I find challenging at first but it is not long before I see the bigger picture and realise what is on offer is helping me to deepen the relationship to myself and bring more of the ‘real’ me into the world.

71. Why would the world not want to be more healthy? Obviously there is much money to be made in the weightloss industry, from chemical-laden low-fat products to the millions of chemical drinks that purport to replace a meal, the various exercise clubs, the magazines and the dietary aids, it is all there for the picking. National Health services would certainly benefit from the ceasing of alcohol consumption, If anything has become a cult, the ritual of ‘Social Drinking’ has, but the only problem is, there is no obvious leader to pillory – we are all irresponsible.

72. Its fascinating how people can be accused of being in a cult when their choices are deeply loving, supportive and life changing – in fact when their choices result in a way of living that reverses the trend of the worlds turmoil.

73. Such a contrast in the two lives… Life 1 brings inspiration, purpose and a joy for living, whereas Life 2 brings you down into the apathy of self indulgence. And the thing to question is the media currently trying to bring humanity down from Life 1 to life 2 level with all their lies about Universal Medicine – where does this place the media in these two lives?

    1. Great question Paula. The media seems to certainly play the tune of Life number two, all the top stories tend to report one drama or another, and it does seem that people are more interested in sensationalism. The question I would ask is why don’t journalists follow the lead of websites such as this one and use their talents to write true and supportive stories that are more interesting?

74. The cult of the second sample seems quite dangerous and addictive – the first one sounds much more liberating.

    1. It is addictive on both ends of the spectrum too, surprisingly so. Both the riches and success but also the rock bottom depression and drama are equally addictive and thrilling.

75. Which life leaves me most free to be me and others to be themselves? Number one without a doubt.

76. You could define a cult as something which people are blindly following, whereas the alternative life gives you choice to choose and so a freedom to live more responsibly.

77. I know what I live and what I am learning to live. I know what supports me and my relationships of those around me. I know, that no amount of name calling, derision or saying that I belong in a cult will ever change the choices that I make that support a way of living, which brings greater harmony, truth and love into my life. Simple.

78. Michael this is a superb blog and from reading both life situations, to me it is clear the world lives in a cult of the norm, the abuse,the contraction, the degradation,the complacency.
    Self caring, self honouring, bringing your all to all life and being so joyously committed is so simply living a very natural love. Living this love is not commonly seen in society and I can see how when anyone goes against the ingrained grain of society and reflects something polar opposite that it would expose much of the rot in life that many accept and are complacent about. It is essential to ask – what is it driving the human being that causes it to have such adverse reactions such as false allegations, vilification, belittling etc to the true reflection of love loved?

79. “Witnessing withdrawn people opening up to me and to others, having a rare hearty laugh, is what makes this life worth living.” Here, here Michael. It is indeed one of life’s greatest joys.

80. ‘… I speak as a tender man who is not afraid of what will come his way.’ This is huge in any society. Society expects men to act a certain way, often in disregard to their true sensitive and tender nature. Men living and expressing their tenderness is a beauty to behold and be inspired by whatever ones gender.

81. It is fascinating to see how people use the word ‘cult’ for being different, but what if actually being love was normal and this choosing not to be love is saying yes to the cult of individuality, yes to the cult of being human when we are far more than purely physical human beings.

    1. It is interesting how from reaction certain extreme words used as a lie get used as a label such as cult, pedophilia, grooming and so forth. This is done to deter completely, as when people hear such extreme labels they do not discern either side of the story and see the truth, they simply hear the vulgar words and join in with the false labelling of a group. A group in this case, which could not be further from the rot and grotesqueness of these words. A group whose living way is everything Michael described in his first example. The Way of the Livingness as brought through and fully reflected in every minute detail by Serge Benhayon, has literally supported thousands through their own choice to apply presentations to aspects of their life and reap the reward of living with the richness of their heart, being committed in life and taking responsibility for bringing their all.

       1. Very true Johanna, as you say to get people to think twice about something when there is no reason to question it then you have to go to the extremes, to the unimagineable to effectively scare people off. It is a great example of where lies are spread with actually no basis and then passed off by some as fact because they have been reported as being so.

82. The putrid online posts and ‘cult’ name seem to be fuelled by the fact that those who choose to live well, eat well and generally feel well, go against the current norm of obesity, excessive drinking, depression, lack of vitality and the like. To have a healthy way of living would seem to some, a threat to an ill way of living that they would rather champion and defend rather than change.

83. Absolutely no brainer indeed – which life is more cultish?? But that one is considered ‘normal’. Taking care of our health and enjoying life, thanks to a full commitment to developing and being a student of yourself is considered ‘not normal’, so it must be a cult? Interesting to say the least. And like Christoph says, the word ‘cult’ is thrown around without any understanding or proper investigation; no matter what is really true and who gets hurt along the way.

84. Reading the two ways of life I know I have chosen the first one to live by and from this livingness I can see from where people tend to call this way of living a cult. They use this word to ridicule and dismiss this livingness as it reminds them their origin too but are to much attached and to deeply invested in the creation that human life is and in that image are frightened to death when they are asked to return to their divine origin too.

85. I used to live life number two for a great period of time in this life and there is now nothing in me that has any desire to return to this way, as it never has brought me the deep connection with love and joy which is now my everyday reality.

    1. Me too Nico. I consider the what I used to live as a shadow of who and what I love now. When I compare the two it feels like I used to live a cardboard cut out of myself.

       1. As English is not my native tongue and I do not know the saying ‘cardboard cut out’ as I had never heard it before, I fully understand what you are saying here. A cardboard cut-out of me would be very flat and so limited in its expression for the multi dimensional being that I am. But I have to agree, once I lived like that and I can now say how painful that actually is, to live a lesser quality of what you can so lively feel lives within and wants to be expressed.

86. Life 2 sells itself as the only thing going, whereas life 1 does keep me aware that I can go into life 2, but there’s no allure, hook or attraction to life 1. I stay because I feel amazing, whereas life 2 made me feel like a miserable hermit.

    1. I choose to continue to commit to life 1 because now I feel like me in life rather than life doing me. Today I feel the support we can offer each other when we simply take responsibility for bringing our all to life.

87. I have been part of some really interesting conversations about cults in the last few days, exploring what the word actually means, and realising that there are so many things we consider as ‘normal’ that are really more cultish than other things that are called ‘cults’. It is like a mass hysteria that points fingers at a group of people who are doing things differently, whilst adhering to the rules of their cult vehemently. Football team support came up a lot as one of the things that actually, on examination, does tick a lot of the boxes in a cult definition.

    1. Indeed Matilda, you make me aware that people worshipping their way of life are actually to the definition of the word living in a cult and hilariously so, tend to call all people who are not like that, to be in a cult instead.

    2. Good points Matilda. It is interesting how certain groups are not labelled as a cult simply because the human spirit enjoys the comfort and abuse to the body of these groups. It will never expose that which keeps the human from living with it Soul and the grandness we truly are part of and from.

    3. ha ha yes I have always felt how cultish the football thing is if there is such a thing as a cult – it is a very unclear word, what on earth does it mean anyway? – it is generally used like some sort of unanswerable accusation.

    4. Very interesting Matilda, that something that is so accepted in our society such as supporting a football team is not considered ‘cultish behaviour’ when as you say it does tick alot of the boxes when it comes to defining what being in a cult actaully means.

88. Being a part of Universal Medicine I have watched it grow over the last 16 years , never have I witnessed such a cult-less organisation being accused of being a ‘cult’. Ridiculous!

89. Reading this shows that myself and many I know once chose life 2 and did not question it. Until such time that our bodies starte to speak loud and clear. Now I live option 1, a forever learning and building and an amazing opportunity to connect with others.

90. I’ve been making healthier choices now for over eleven years, thanks to the presentations by Universal Medicine, and if this is a cult then it’s far healthier than the ones I was in previously. As an example, the ones where we get drunk every weekend and during the week when we were flush. Or the ones where we had all night parties and the police would be called looking for drugs and any illegal activities. The ones where we ate everything and anything to the point of being sick and unable to move, then within an hour or so eating leftovers – I think they call this one Christmas day. Then there’s the one where we went to many concerts to get a glimpse of our favourite rock singers with the compulsory singing and listening to loud music, to the point where my ears were ringing well into the next day. In all of those examples, I was following and not making my own choices, whereas when I attend a presentation I know a 100% that it is up to me what I take on board and what I chose to shelve.

    1. ha ha the Christmas day one gave me a good laugh – sounds very dangerous!!!

91. And there are some who say what a cult means?? Have they considered this meaning, the cult of individuality? I know the vast contrast very clearly. I have led the 2 lives too and it’s obvious which one I am living now. One of elite openness and joy with all.

92. Call it whatever- I am for Life number one. And if you want to degrade it by the word “cult”, I am proud to be in that kind of “cult”.

93. Life number one knows no images and ideals- it just allows whatever comes our way and asks for expansion, not imaging how it will look like in the end. There is no control about any outcomes, but a constant ‘YES’. I live a life like number one and I would never change it to a life number two!

94. Place the word ‘cult’ in front of and sprinkled within a text and you are guaranteed wide exposure, reaction and a sensational pitch. It highlights that any response is seemingly better than none particularly when the intent is to dis-regard truth … And this is evident in the tabloid reporting of Universal Medicine.

95. It is easy to label something we don’t understand as ‘cultish’, though I would ask what is being challenged in us that we cannot be open enough to see beyond our own judgements to the truth of what is before us…..

96. The difference in the commitment to life in Life 1 and Life 2 is huge. We are sold a big fat lie in Life 2 that we live and work until we retire and then we can sit back and give up. So many people are feeling this is not true now, so they often escape and fill their time with hobbies but still remain unfulfilled.

97. A no brainer which one I would deem a cult.

98. Interestingly, the dream of retirement in life 2 – of ‘me’ time, people often find to be disillusioning, lacking in purpose and inspiration for living… could this be why we have an increase in Alzheimers and Dementia?

    1. Paula what you have written is very interesting, because a member of my family who has lived on her own for years has been diagnosed with Bi-Polar, but I feel we are lacking a purpose in life and withdrawing from it. Now they have bought a dog it seems to have turned their life around, because it’s not just about them any more, they have a companion and suddenly life is worth living. Humans are like pack animals and don’t seem to thrive very well left their own.

       1. Despite carrying on with withdrawn or guarded behaviours there is a reason solitary confinement (or even the naughty step/corner facing the wall) is considered a form of punishment. We naturally want to be together.

    2. This is a brilliant area of our current ‘normal’ to explore. The often devastating effects of ‘retirement’ as people come face to face with their life choices, their relationships, their level of engagement with life, without the distraction of work.

99. Having been in a cult earlier in my life, my current experience of Universal Medicine is the exact opposite – the absolute antithesis of a cult.

100. Nikki, I agree. The question comes loaded with a predetermined view point and in no way is it asking for an open discussion to find out more.

101. Indeed, what if society considered living with vitality, health and care for self and others as the new normal rather than a cult? A no brainer one would think.

102. The word cult strikes fear in everyone, and there have been plenty of horrific stories such as the Jonestown mass suicides to justify this opinion. This is why it can be used as such an effective weapon to condemn a group of people just with a few comments…but it is empty lies and cannot not stick.

103. This is a great exposing of what is really going on in life and the two ways we can choose; one of love honesty purpose and understanding for all, which is the real normal, and the one society is choosing of self; individualism, checkout, over indulgence, escape, suffering, war and disease, in a prison like way of living in stress, anxiety and depression with the constant trying to better ourselves to keep up and best manage life, all the while pretending all is o.k. Surely this is the cult, as there is nothing natural, loving and honest about it.

104. Why do we need the word cult in the first place, why do we need to classify groups of people that share a common way of living, philosophy or thought? We are all one and the same in different phases of our development back to soul. There is no need to classify people in groups, as to me, it is only used to make oneself feel better, less good or equal to that group, or it gives a feeling of safety to the idea that life is under control if we can place people in certain groups, rich, poor, religious, atheists and so on. But in the end it makes no sense, it is only a product of us living in separation with who we naturally are. When we live that, our natural way of being, there is no need to classify or separate people in groups, as then we will live united as one with only one purpose, and that is to return to soul.

105. The word cult originates form Latin meaning worship, homage paid to a divinity and nowadays it means great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work. The meaning has changed, but actually is in the same energy. There is no reason to worship a divinity, person, group or idea, as it only takes us away from the true divine place that lives in each and everyone of us – our inner heart, the spark of light that will never extinguish.

106. I have refused to be a part of this world in the past because its ways seem cultish to me. But I can’t resist being a part of this world as I am from it. So instead of retreating I can just be me. But how can I face the immense tension? It is when I am standing by this body always and treasure it as the absolute golden vehicle for service.

107. Living a healthy lifestyle and choosing to be lifelong students of ourselves and life is evidently today very challenging for many. What is this telling us about our society?

108. The term ‘cult’ is highly pejorative and brands all participants as brainless (they are doing something that is obviously very stupid) or as mind controlled (they do something that is against their best interest, therefore they must be forced in some way). The above is true in quite a few instances but that makes the label ‘cult’ a very convenient cudgel to attack groups that one doesn’t like.
     A bit like calling somebody a murderer or child abuser. Very nasty and convenient when the labels are not true.

     1. Agree Christoph, very deliberate and calculated, intended to taint.

     2. Yes it is a very nasty and manipulative tack exactly as you describe and you are ridiculed, denigrated and written off as not being capable of speaking for yourself. If you do simply say something like “I am not in a cult” then the headlines are full of how you “deny being in a cult” which again brands you as being some sort of zombie killer dangerous mass suicide child abuse brainwashed person.

        1. Damned if you do deny, damned if you don’t. The only telling markers are the body and the livingness that moves it.

109. ‘Did I bring fun, humour and wisdom to the people in my day or did I let my emotions/reactions/dramas get the better of me? If the latter is the case, then tomorrow is a brand new day and a brand new opportunity to re-imprint the previous day and to work on lessening those reactions, if not ditch them completely.’
     I love this stock take at the end of the day. Being honest without critique is something I’m getting on board with, really appreciating that any judgement only adds to the rot and helps no-one. It’s so unnecessary too; each day is a new day with new beginnings where we can bring our all and seek support and support ourselves when we are struggling. I love the chance to bring fun, humour and wisdom!

110. Living a purposeful life is more rewarding than I could possibly have known, and hands down it conquers the life of comfort and indulgence any day.

111. Universal Medicine make up such a diverse group of professionals whom are excelling in their fields of work, it is a joy to watch, the complete opposite of what I would expect to see in a cult.

112. “I wear baggy and posture-altering clothes that put a slant on my body and my speech” this is a super interesting element of life number 2, – that in life 2 we choose what to wear to fit the lifestyle, in posture and expression, that’s lived out because of the choice to sell out to it, to the control of that cult.

113. “Are you in a cult” is not a question that generally gets asked with anyway to answer. It’s loaded from the start.

     1. It is one of those questions where ‘yes’ and ‘no’ is the wrong answer, a bit like asking “I won’t believe a word you say unless it confirms my opinion, but is xyz the case?”

        1. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. In this case, the answer is to just Be 🙂

        2. Bit like throwing someone in water and if they sink it means they’re not a witch.

     2. Nikki, I agree. The question comes loaded with a predetermined view point and in no way is it asking for an open discussion to find out more.

     3. … yes and when we look through history we know where ‘branding’ leads.

114. I would just stop at ‘being in a cult means selling out my heart and soul. The conformity that we face in the cult we call society is absolutely crushing to the genuine, sensitive, loving beings we are. It is obvious to see that we are at our purest and most joyful when we are little before the world cult has told us exactly how we need to be to fit in.

115. This blog says everything you ever need to know about the current state of our world. We poo-poo common sense in favour of struggle and drama. Regardless of what the facts show, we choose to remain in trouble – and so it is clear that all this stems from a fear of having love and losing it again. But this is just a trick to make us think Love is fragile when it’s strength is profound.

116. You say Michael
     “This life is all about purpose, commitment to life, work and people. Although not perfected, it is about making every day count, whether out in society or at home.”
     Here’s the ‘rub’, to me not everyone feels this way. A vast majority of us feel that life is a drudge, something to get through and to help us get through the drudge, boredom and misery, we have become masters at distracting ourselves in all sorts of different ways. So is it possible that when someone presents a different way to live life, it is going to upset those who have been exposed living a life that they feel comfortable with, but is not about purpose, commitment and most of all other people, and so ridicule or condemn in the rawness of their exposure.

117. Thank you, Michael, this one sentence highlights that Universal Medicine is not a cult – “Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success.” Since studying with Universal Medicine I have become less needy, less selfish, more humble and more loving of myself and everyone equally…there is no glamour in a simple life lived in the service of others.

118. I am what I am, and since knowing Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine my life has become richer, less about the smaller self, and so much more about people, community and purpose in life. The complete antithesis of what the world currently views as ‘cult’ behaviour.

119. ‘I can speak as a tender man who is not afraid what will come back his way.’ I love this and can feel this quality in the way you have written and offered to share this blog with everyone.

120. The other week I was learning about Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are encouraged to undertake at least once in their lifetime if they are healthy enough and if they can afford to do it. I remember seeing footage of some of the rituals when I was younger and was unsettled by them as I didn’t understand them. To me, it all looked like a sea of people in white performing strange acts, however on closer inspection I developed a better understanding of what these rituals represent and what the intention is behind them – an opportunity to commit to God as a community, to pray 5 times a day and renounce anything that distracts you from that commitment. I have to admit that I respect this, but these practices could so easily be labelled as a cult. To commit to life with a true heart, to commit to your connection with self and therefore with all others in every living moment, to commit to what you eat to keep your body light and clear, to commit to how you move so as to be more loving in your movements and less imposing on others, to commit to being more loving in expression, to commit to responding and not reacting, in short, to live responsibly and lovingly – if this is to be labelled as a cult, when to all outward appearances many other religious practices are not, then it is clear just how scared we are of our choices being exposed as false and unloving. I can’t see anything in The Way of The livingness that does anything except this: it gets under life, it gets under the false ideals and beliefs we hold, it gets under the choice of eating foods that dull, it gets under the numbing and checking out, it gets under the giving up, it gets under the pretence that everything is fine, it gets under the hurts – it gets under the hardness, of the ‘doing’ and of the ‘showing’ that we are committed to just being committed without fluff, with decided practicality and with awareness. Of course, there is no perfection and it is because of that lack of perfection the judgment has come in but I for one, will continue on this path simply because it feels true – whether I am labelled a cult member or not, because once felt in the body as true it can’t be taken away. Impossible.

121. So beautifully said, it asks ‘do I make life about me or about the all? ‘ Life can be indulgent or lived with purpose and I love the reminder here that there is no perfection here, commit to purpose and if we find ourselves off track we just come back.

122. One thing that has always upset me is when people believe what they read without discernment or even checking the source from where the lies are formed from. It really is like the old saying the proof in the pudding, as you only have to check out some of the people living life 1 to see how amazing this life works by the energy, vibrancy and how good they look.

     1. Hi kevin, indeed the proof is eating the pudding, that is how we people tend to learn from life. But if we are to afraid of doing that, we try to make a judgement from our mind and then words like cult can be used to hide the fact that you are not brave enough to give it a try and to take a bite of the pudding yourself.

123. ‘Putrid’ is the right word. When you read some of the media stories because you can see that they are raking up old over-used words from six years ago that are specifically designed to crush. There is nothing new. And yet for us who are associated with Universal Medicine, every day feels like new as we learn more and more about the world and about ourselves and our relationships. I for one feel that there is a far better story to tell, one of improving health desire old age. Why have sulky negative drama when joyful vitality and harmony is a true way of being?

     1. I am so inspired by the students of the livingness – so many people making positive, lasting changes in their lives and committing to a greater depth of living that is always about people, a true care of each other whoever we are, without self-gain or self- depreciation. ‘Putrid’ is so accurate to describe the many media stories that seek to destroy what’s being reflected back as possible, livable in this world. I have experienced and been privy to unbelievable miracles by everyday standards. But, to suit my irresponsible ways, I have belittled these miracles. Choosing to deny the power we have access to so we can stay in the rot that is everywhere. I know if I start to truly appreciate the gold on tap that is available to us all, then others will also start to take note and not seek the putrid lies that are printed.

124. ‘see the clarity of what each life has on offer for Humanity as a whole.’ The difference is very clear and one I see a lot. I see a lot of people who don’t care anymore about how they are with themselves – as long as they get what they need, or think they’re entitled to (and even when they do get what they need this isn’t enough) – or how they are in the world. What I’ve come to embrace is how I am in the world matters. It matters how I walk in the park, how I drive – do I inspire people, feeling great in my skin and with others; or do I confirm what many feel is the drudgery of life. There are many times I subscribe to the latter and I too know which one I prefer!!

125. Some traditional Catholics refer to all Protestants as “The Cults” and they don’t mean a rock band with that designation (perhaps there should be one?).

126. I love the way you have described the two types of life Michael. It’s a very descriptive and honest way to bring the reader to an understanding of the choices we have in life, and that the ‘norm’ that is known to most in this world presently can be seen as a ‘cult’ as it is one that people follow blindly without any thought or consideration for others, only themselves. An eye opening read.

127. Great to expose this Michael… “Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success.” And to call out the lie we are all feeding.

128. So the moment anyone breaks free of the usual societal constraints, beliefs, rules, doctrines, expectations and pressures and does not play ball with the status quo they are labelled as being in a cult or suspected as being dodgy – simply because they are not blindly following along with the masses. Does anyone not see the irony here? And which life really is the real cult?

     1. Yes, very well put! It seems the irony cannot be easily seen by those blinkered by doctrine and belief, they only see those who choose to step out of line, and the change in the status quo is felt as a threat to their comfort zone.

129. A great exposé, Michael, of how a meaningless life full of self has become the norm to the point that a purposeful life full of love and joy is seen a weird. A sad indictment of our times…

130. We resort to using loaded words, like angry children in the playground, that don’t have any factual content. Just by repeating insults we hope to grind others down. But the truth is not affected by this – it just speaks volumes for itself.

131. The ones pointing the finger saying you or a group of people are in a cult really expose themselves for who they truly are. It has been going of for centuries and still to this day the claims and threats are based on a point of view that is corrupt and evil. It doesn’t matter what people are drawn to and feel to be true to them, at the end of their lives they will be able to honestly say if it was true or not. Leaving people to make their choices and so long as there is no abuse, disrespect and anything harmful mentally or physically to others no matter what it is all part of our evolution.

     1. True Natalie, the name-calling and the desire to crush the truth actually known to us all, has been same-old same-old throughout ages.

132. By using the word ‘cult’, it instills fear into many, makes people suspicious, and a tangled web is woven to keep people away from feeling their growing awareness. But you describing the 2 different lives Michael, shows how you are not sold out to anything in Life number one, in fact society (in Life number two), passively feels sold out to what is perceived as the normal because it involves so much checking out.

133. A very aptly times read. It is a bizarre world that the more aware, astute, discerning, responsible and accountable way of living is regarded as the one that is a cult.

134. Who is who when you consider being in a cult? Thank you for showing the ridiculousness of the choice to label people with such phrases – and with such power, clarity and humour.

135. Life number 1 always wins, as it doesn’t have an end point, no finish line and no relief. That which has an end point is destined to not exist.

     1. Love this!! A great way to discern what’s at play and whether I’ve been fooled by something that makes out it’ll give me an end product that’ll be the cure to my woes/needs with no pull pointing out there’s always more. I used to feel exhausted by the ‘there’s always more’ – which showed me I was forcing myself through life like a race I had to rest at the end exhausted- but feeling how there is no end point, feels very loving: there is a boundless support always there to hold us.

136. Interesting how life is not questioned the more we have our indulgences such as alcohol, food, business, etc but when we start to make really super positive changes there comes a label. One that I have heard numerous times is that without any indulgences, life must be boring. But nothing could be further from the truth.

137. Society seems to be more fascinated by the gossipy nature of what a cult means rather than actually taking a look at what is really going on with how people are living.

     1. Indeed, so true Nikki. Present the simplicity of living with ease and flow and in harmony with our own body and with others and this is deemed as cultish behaviour. How telling of how little progress we have ready made as a humanity – for we have been around this merry go round again and again through the pages of our history to date.

138. When an organisation like Universal Medicine is falsely named as a cult it is an absolute disgrace. The true cults are accepted by society simply because most people are doing it and if you attempt to go your own way? Well you are attacked and ostracised. The hallmark of the false normal cult.

139. What a contrast in lives from one of love joy and true purpose with everyone to one of self and individualism emotions reactions and disharmony. An amazing contrast to see we really can make our own choice and reflect this for everyone to see what is the real cult and where the real love wisdom and divinity comes from.

     1. Yes, it is amazing what range of choice is on offer for us and how much they can change our life if we know how to make them sustainable.

140. All the horrendous fear-mongering and lies about Universal Medicine being a cult, are so easily seen through if you look at the lives of those who are making the accusations and those accused. They say that actions speak louder than words, and if someone was to truly investigate how much Universal Medicine contributes to society, they would be blown away. It is easy to sit behind a computer and make up stories, but more loving to live a life of truly loving service to humanity… day in, day out.

141. There is an important point to make here about why a person will choose what they choose to contribute to society. The one who seeks drugs and alcohol is also adding to the life of others, just as much as the one who is seemingly ‘doing good’, and yet one is deemed ‘better’ than the other. So I guess the real question for me is – which one is honest? Because if a person is ‘doing what they see as good and right for society’ but actually all they really want to do is get obliterated with substances including food and may even be doing this behind closed doors, then is there not a dishonesty to this, and wouldn’t this affect the contribution that they make, no matter how ‘good’ it appears on the outside?
     It is this kind of questioning that makes me and the other students of The Way of The Livingness not in any way part of a cult. Because we are willing to look at the finest detail and see the truth as it is.

142. Awesome presentation here Michael – and it is clear that the word ‘cult’ has been given by a person(s) who has not had the decency to truly look at how people are living and realise the blessing that is on offer to everyone and anyone.

143. Everyday I bless the day I met Universal Medicine and was shown how to open the door within me to true freedom, understanding, feeling and choosing another energy to choose to live from. This energetic fact is not taught to us in our cult-ures, a fact that keeps us confined to our accepted norms of behaviours. When we are properly educated about energy, our world is intrinsically altered.

144. It is so exposing of where humanity is at today that an organisation such as Universal Medicine, who are teaching basic principles of love, integrity and self-responsibility, is held up as being weird or a cult. How upside down can the world get?

     1. Probably a little more so in that a group of people living to the best of their ability with love, integrity and self-responsibility not only get labelled as being weird or in a cult, they get out right attacked for all aspects of their way of life. There are a few out there with a vendetta to bring them down. Why one could ask?

     2. That is what I feel – the world feels upside down! Our bodies will eventually speak to us loud enough that we will remember to choose for ourselves, not according to pressure from those who purport to know the ‘truth’ or better.

     3. Janet I could not agree with you more, it is, however, something that shows the space humanity is at when we are less concerned about domestic violence, abuse, illness than sensation and lies.

145. It looks like we can choose either the one or the other life that is described in this blog, and in a way that is true but we where never told the impact of either choice will have on our physical body, mental health, our general well-being and the wold at large.

146. The word cult is only used to mystify the awesome works Serge Benahayon and Universal Medicine are presenting to the world. To me it is a reaction from the people that do not like to be confronted with the truth that is being presented and therefore try to diminish it by calling it a cult, a word that has been bastardised to denote something evil and to stay away from.

     1. Spot on Nico, it (the word cult) is being used to label and criticise and to deliberately write off people who are bringing a true way of living back to this world where there is so much un-rest and dis-ease. There is no true consideration of any person nor respect offered nor equality offered in any way when being treated as such. And the way the word ‘cult’ is used is like ‘scum’ – and to call anyone this can only come from someone who has lost all connection with their heart and has forgotten what common decency is, and has not got any intention to support the disease and unrest in the world. They expose themselves for the self-centeredness they are living whilst trying to parade as do-gooding.

        1. Yes Henrietta, they parade themselves as good-doing as that for them is the reward they receive for defending their choice of life. A life that is only for self first, not in consideration of all others, of nature and totally blind for how they affect and pollute all of life by this behaviour.

147. We can be so blinded by our ideals and beliefs, so focused on our own agendas, that we can’t even see we are in a cult – the cult of normality, what everyone else does… without ever questioning if how we are living is actually true for us = life 2.

148. When we live disconnected from our inner heart, then anything outside of this we seek to fit in and belong… even if this is with a small group of people who will make disparaging comments against another group who chooses differently.

149. A study the world sorely needs for it’s ‘evidence-based’ research!

150. Gosh we think we think and can choose what we like, but what are we choosing when both lives result in very differing ways of living – almost different people entirely yet it is the same person in each one!

     1. Yes, its quite a reality check when you put it like that Joshua – 2 different people yet the same body! Its all about choices and the energy that comes with those choices.

151. Michael I love your question “What did I bring to everyone today?” The personal experience of your two versions as life aside, I just placed myself on the receiving end, for example working with a person living Life number 1 or Life number 2. The difference is striking; it is a joy to be greeted by a life lived as number one.

     1. It definitely is and people I work with feel, recognise and will often express that to me.

152. It is easy to feel how in the second life a person is following the crowd, and engaging in cultish behaviours to fit in and find safety in numbers, whereas in the first life the person is making choices from discernment and taking responsibility for their actions. We could say that a cult is formed by those who blindly follow a religion, philosophy, political ideal, popular sport, regardless of the damaging effect it has for humankind. As you say Michael, it comes entirely from self interest and preservation. The first life is lived in service for all.

153. It interesting how the ideal in Life No 2 is to find a way to live where we don’t have to work anymore, cosseted away with all our personal desires met we can wallow in our individualism.

154. ‘Living this life, I am always given the space to learn and take lessons from life’s events and challenges and never be condemned or judged.’ What a beautiful way to live and breathe. The pressures we put ourselves under in our quest to fit in, or to rebel and crush the joy out of us.

     1. So true Karin, it is our choice to out ourselves under this pressure that then leads to ill-health in the long run when there really is no need to do so.

155. Just reading the first line of each of your descriptions of Life 1and Life 2, it is immediatley crystal clear as to which life is lived for the purpose of serving others and not purely for the benefit of self.

     1. Yes Sandra, it is distinct in what each of the two ways of living life described in this blog is bringing to each and everyone individually and to our societies as a whole. I now know which one to choose, but that has not always been the case in my life. In the past I was never told that there are two choices, only the benefit for self was presented to me. But thanks to Serge Benhayon I now have become aware of that other choice too, to live a life in service of others.

156. When we really stop and observe our societies, it is clear to see that so many of our behaviours have all the characteristics of a cult, just go to a football match on a Saturday afternoon to really see how easy it can be to join one. When we choose to make every moment in the day matter, we provide ourselves with the steps to climb out of our common day culture into the freedom of loving life, work, people and ourselves without any need to belong, conform, fit in or go along with the crowd. Life is awesome when we ditch the cultural habits and embrace purpose and responsibility.

     1. This is all so true but often cultural pride keeps us imprisoned – we celebrate it because it forms who we think we are. We don’t question its traditions, or go beyond its confines and explore who we are without it. I especially identified as being from where I lived, but I got to feel what a defense this was for me from feeling the insecurity I felt from not knowing who I was in essence. Now if I look to what I do for who I am, I know I’m not connected with myself.

        This exploration reminds me a little bit of what I imagine people who believed the earth was flat, yet sailed out into the ocean felt like. The interpretation of sailing towards the edge would have been met with the truth that there is no edge. I know each time I’ve dropped what I thought was my identity, I discovered a grandness that was being kept hidden.

157. It is very sad that whenever I Google ‘Universal Medicine’, the word ‘Cult’ comes up as associated with the name. This means that any stranger who hears about the organisation and goes to look it up will find the same and be put off. It is so irresponsible for those who don’t happen to like Universal Medicine to go to such lengths to discredit it because in doing so they are depriving humanity of an opportunity to choose to live a more healthy life. Universal Medicine has made a huge difference to my life and will continue to do so for the rest of it from here on. I am so much lighter emotionally and physically there is nothing I would say against it.

158. Looking at the world from a perspective of including all, you realize the true meaning of the word cult.

159. The only cult I am aware that I have ever been a part of and am certainly working very hard to extract myself entirely from is the cult of individuality.

160. Being more real is leaving more the cultish way behind.

161. Recognising more and more the cult of living as just a human being without connection to the divineness we are from and the extent of the utter distortion of who we are in truth is shockingly eye-opening and liberating. There are only two cults on earth – the cult of creation, an existence as just a human being and the cult of co-creation where one knows himself to be the son of God in resurrection and eventually embodiment.

162. The opportunity to have the two lives laid out side by side makes the decision really easy. It is bizarre that, as human beings, we can use words to mock, belittle and paint a picture that can be the polar opposite of the truth and believe it to be OK.

163. Coming to that point when I felt that I was worth nurturing and loving myself and how the ways that I was living were not holding any of those qualities, it then became very clear I had a choice.

164. Reading this blog again, I can really sense the freedom in life number one and the imprisonment and burden of life number two. It also struck me that we would all be more familiar with life number two, which then makes me wonder that perhaps the life we currently accept as the normal human way of life is actually more restrictive and harmful. I know I cannot see any way that living life number one would do anyone any harm at all.

165. Was life, number one, just normal life just a short 50 years ago? What have we done to turn our lives into a train wreck and our life became derailed? After water, tea and coffee are today, the most consumed beverages around the world. Are these some of the ingredients that assist us in our motion today? A fact is that 85% of the world’s adults drink coffee, is this the largest cult ever?

     1. I disagree that 50 years ago life #1 was normal. We have to be careful not to glamourise the past just because things are so obviously out of kilter in the present. After all, 50 years ago was the huge hippie drugs craze and many more indulgences that we used in replacement of the vices we have today. I would say that throughout all of time’s history we have seen people live life #1, and show the world it was/is possible, this ranges from present day all the way to 10,000 BC and beyond.

166. In number 1 life it feels that you are free, whilst clearly imprisoned in number 2. No matter the labels someone could apply, there is such a difference between both of them that I would not have a doubt regarding the fullness and dedication you live your life in

167. What you described Michael in life number two is how a lot of people are living and to most it is very normal, it is called the cult of individualism where life is all about me what i can get and what I need, absolute abuse of the body. If life number one is a cult let me in because ‘This life is all about purpose, commitment to life, work and people.’ the total opposite to life number 2.

168. Life number one, love the purpose and fully embracing this makes life sparkle with so many gems to appreciate. Recently I’ve come to understand connection to purpose is so simple, it is me honouring what I know is important in my day. I used to believe it was something ‘out there’ that I had to be super or something to know. But actually it’s something that I know already. I’m loving the depth that can always deepen, the more I feel what’s important the more I appreciate how and feel what is being brought through for people. So many people have given up on life so life no 1 brings through a very needed reflection. If this is what’s considered a cult (which makes zero sense to me logically speaking), then we need more of it in the world!!!

169. When accusations of cult are made towards life No 1, it is easy to understand why.. because it challenges where we are in ourselves and how we are choosing to live, yet inside it is something we all crave for and can begin to bring into our lives in any moment.

170. Putrid online posts and comments they are indeed and have been for many years and I am not even aware of all the really despicable things the cyber troll have said. It seems ironic that someone who says such vile things about a group of people has the audacity to point the finger at them (people who are making choices to live with integrity and care and respect for others .. without perfection), yet clearly not willing to see the harm they are doing. The phrase can’t see the wood for the trees comes to mind.

171. If life number 1 is called a cult, then I’d love more of it – where can I sign up please?

172. With so many variations of ways people choose to live life, it shows up the fact that so many things in life can easily be labelled as a cult.

     1. This is so true. In fact, any way of life that goes against the accepted norm would be looked at with suspicion.

173. People can call it what they like and if they have never been to a Universal Medicine event I know they are only working on what they have heard from malicious gossip mongers. I know that for me The Way of The Livingness has been both challenging and rewarding, I am learning to live in a less stressful way, I am learning who I truly am, and not to live small, and I am learning about true love, harmony, stillness and truth.

     1. Beautifully said Carmel. Universal Medicine has presented a way of livingness I’d never have known was possible. It’s opened the doors to a life that can be lived. I’m coming out of old habits like wanting to just make it through the day and swim from one relief/checkout stop to the next; I’m learning to be present throughout my day and bring a quality that feels harmonious. Early stages but so worth it.

174. Yes, Michael. I walked through the area where the local rugby stadium is recently, and heard a match playing. It sounded like a lot of animal noises and the roars of the audience felt like a constant assault. It made me consider that those players were once sweet, bouncing babies and how we seem ok with watching each other become denatured in the pursuit of recognition and acceptance.

     1. Yes, nothing much has changed since the days of the colosseum as we go around in circles and case quick fixes and shallow solutions.

     2. Quite a sad observation for me Janet, for those tender babies and toddlers are still there inside just suffocated under what life #2 asks them to be.

175. Life 1 feels committed to the whole of humanity and through that commitment a life of love and joy is evident, there is no such commitment in Life 2 which is all about ensuring self gets what it needs quite ugly really when you look at it in this very clear way.

176. History shows many examples of people labelling and trying to damage things that they don’t understand or are different to their way of life or experience. But when we look at the ‘normal’ way of life for many, different isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes our own lack of honesty can prevent us being open to consider any other way

177. I was talking recently to some colleagues about religion and the word cult. They decided that main stream religion wasn’t a cult as such because you didn’t have to go to church or any such building to practice your faith. They defined a ‘cult’ as an organisation that took over peoples lives, money and property and that if you decided to leave for whatever reason made it very difficult for you to leave. They seemed to have experience of this with friends who signed up literally to a new age religion that recruits people off the streets, this new age Religion is very popular where I was staying it seems. I was told that everything is given over to the organisation all money and property and if your family don’t agree to join the organisation as well they would have to be ostracized from their family? This seems pretty strict to me but if that is the choice made by the person then surely that should be respected? Some people look for a religion or a relationship that doesn’t ask them to be personally responsible they hand themselves over because at some level they have given up on life and themselves. Whereas we may not agree to this for ourselves they are the ones making the choice.

     1. Let’s not forget that the catholic church started as a cult, as a minority in the Roman empire until Constantine decided that their doctrine suited Rome’s rule and ambition and it slowly and over the centuries became mainstream and the ruling christian-judaic paradigm in the Western world.

178. ‘This life is all about purpose, commitment to life, work and people.’ – Fullness of life captured in one single sentence.

179. It’s so simple yet so crazy, your words require repeat reading Michael. For how could we ever fall for such a sham as life number two? And yet despite our best intentions we do. Isn’t this because we know what’s true and right but often just say ‘nah, not tonight’. If this is our approach and attitude how can we expect to love life?

180. It is the culture of the cult that matters.

181. We are either in the cult of living a full life or the cult of survival.

182. It’s fascinating that living life #1 can grind the gears so much of people living in life #2. Like, it’s my own life, my own choices… what is it that gets so irritated under the skins of some?

     1. It can be very confronting for Life #2 to run into a Life # 1 for a couple of reasons: 1.The light and joy of Life#1 reminds them of what they could be and what they have lost, and the pain causes them to react, and 2. sometimes life # 1 people can be a bit arrogant, be a bit ‘us and them’, forgetting that they too have spent aeons as Life #2, and this separative attitude can be a bit hard to take for the one in Life # 2

        1. Beautifully answered Lyndy, there is always much to work on for anyone in either life.

        2. So true Michael. We are forever students, and it is so beautiful to be travelling together.

183. A life of individualism and self, versus a life of that beholds you and all equally…. when we recognise this, the choice of which life to choose is tangibly obvious.

184. They say that to be in a cult you must be ‘brainwashed’ and yet living as in the description of number 2 rarely do people question their existence and follow the herd, but with number 1 everything is questioned, and a level of understanding to every situation is sought – so, which one really is the cult.

     1. Great point, questioning and considering is a major factor in life no.1 because there is a dawning realisation that so much has been taken as ‘normal’ that turns out to be abusive, that questioning and considering is actually the more intelligent and engaged way to live.

185. I wonder why we resist a life (like your number one, Michael) that is so sweet, inspiring and unifying? Gently but persistently asking myself this question inspires change.

186. Thank you Michael for a truly wonderful blog. I can clearly see the one {!} you have chosen to live is not a cult but a richly rewarding and inspiring life filled with love & joy. I love your words “What did I bring to everyone today?” and will put them on my fridge and ask myself this question every time I see them. Thank you!

     1. Roslyn very true and indeed richly and deeply rewarding, perhaps we should focus on the quality of how we feel about something first regardless of what some people may or may not call something. After all then you get the real gold to live.

187. It can be easy to label anything that challenges the accepted norm as abnormal, something weird, cultish, extreme and something to be dismissed at all costs; only if the investment in defending the accepted norm and so called comforts that go with it, is high. In the defending comes the attack, but what is really being said is that ‘I don’t want to change’, ‘I like things as they are’ even if this means staying in misery!

188. For a greater part of my life I sold my soul and enjoyed the comfort of Life Number Two – the irony being, that the comfort was nothing more than the discomfort of not being true to my innate essence and purpose, and in reality my life was empty and soul-less.

189. What we consider is normal in our world is accepted for the false comfort it provides where there is nothing safe but only the mass has agreed to it.

     1. Yes, one million flies cannot be wrong – eat more of what they feast on, no matter the grossness and putridness of the offering. Numbers breed comfort, false comfort and the illusion of security.

190. Until we no longer consider our self as individual but instead a responsible part in the whole we will remain in the ‘cult of individuality’.

191. Life #1 lets you live a your life without being told what to do. Life #2 is about doing what you are told, and that is the case even when we are being so-called ‘rebellious’.

192. Both lives involve other people but it is only life one that truly cares for and incorporates everyone equally, while life two is mainly about self no matter how many people may play a part in it or how much importance is given to others. Life one is about love, life two is about security, and so is the motivation to live life as well as the consequences as seen in one´s health, well-being and inner contentment.

     1. ‘Life one is about love’ and when we accept this it exposes the futility of our resistance to the opportunity to live this.

     2. Because of the fact that both involve people and have similar outplays in physical life (going to work, eating, sleeping etc) life #2 can be made to look very good indeed. In my experience though, when really getting to know someone who has perfected life #2, much of it is smoke and mirrors.

193. Life number 1 is the reality of who we are and is our only true way of living that makes absolute sense. However Life number 2 is the normal in the world of suffering, ill health and the ever worsening acceptance of this as life. The new normal and purpose of our lives is to live the love we are, with the knowledge and responsibility of this comes from the reality of the love we are and that anything that is not this love has to be the cult, as it is not our true way in connection to who we are.

194. One that many have sought but very very few, if any, have made work for them in terms of their overall health and wellbeing.

195. I am definitely choosing the first version. And no matter how many people would regard this as being not normal- I question what is actually the true normal? – I love to live this meaning and purpose of life. It changed everything in me to become who I truly am and as a result every relationship got enriched by it.

     1. I wonder what people truly feel when they observe someone living Life No 1? Yes they might think its not normal, but they can feel the love, the engagement with life, the expression of someone living with a purpose. As you say Stfanie.. your relationship with them is going to show them how enriched we can all be just by the simple act of living.

196. Only looking outside we may miss the most convenient cult we are part of: self.

197. It’s black and white the two ways you present Michael and what is key is that one leaves you feeling open, loved, supported while the other leaves you feeling empty and searching or wanting something. I know I have felt these two ways of being and it’s sometimes been super hard to let go of old patterns, behaviours or habits that don’t support but when I have I have got to feel how much more amazing life can be. That every choice I make loves and supports me or not.

198. We idolise and look up to very wayward role models, who embody a way of living that glamourizes harmful behaviours like drugs, alcohol and abusive relationships. We look up to those who themselves are lost and see nothing wrong in this. Why do we not seek a way of living that doesn’t just look good but feels true in every moment? The first way of life here described has no glamour attached to it, we cannot make ourselves grander and bigger and more than any other, there is a simplicity and settlement that in this backwards world may to some seem boring or uninteresting because we have so exulted the glamorous, illusory extremes of the seemingly highest pinnacles of human life.

199. We can spend a lifetime wasting ourselves in drugs, alcohol, parties and abusive relationships when you have so clearly shown that we can just as easily live a life of love and contribution to society.

     1. Yes, it is just a case of choosing where we want to put our focus and energy. One is very worthwhile, and the other is very destructive.

200. In Life Number 2 I was eroding my self-worth, my bank balance, my health and my wellbeing. In Life Number 1 I am building my self-worth, bank balance, my health and well being. What if life number 2 was the cult and only those that stepped free from that cult were able to look back and see the truth of what was at play?

     1. Well expressed Fiona. How honestly are we prepared to look at the foundations of our lives and admit to the truth of what they are saying about our choices?

201. This whole cult business is interestingly biased and a beautiful reflection of our sight. As we know, what we see is not what is out there, it is only what we allow in. Our sight is very biased. We allow some things in, exclude others and simply distort other ones to fit our scheme of life. Regarding cults, we refuse to see the fact that people exercise their freedom of association in some strange ways sometimes against their wellbeing and physical integrity. In its place, we look at other things which allow the observer to circumvent this crucial fact that underlies strange associational processes and dynamics called cults.

202. Yes, Michael, living version 2 in complete irresponsibility and motivated only by self-protection, comfort and security is so unappealing now compared to the joy and fulfillment that is possible every day.

     1. More inspiration to say yes to the opportunities on offer and the inspiration of ‘life number one’. Thank you, Janet.

203. Most of humanity belong to the same cult – the cult of humanity, problem is that there is so many in this cult they think living as they do is the ‘norm’ as every way they look others are acting the same way.

204. When you start to live from a deep connection with your body rather than what society tells you to believe and how to behave, you can free yourself from the imprisonment of general society. The need to belong and not wanting to stand out are huge forces that keep us bound to the cult we call society. And clearly this cult is not working or good for our health and wellbeing.

     1. Yeah that’s a great point Fiona. The health statistics of life #2 show that it is not working. Yet, we pride ourselves on it and champion it as being the way forward!

205. ‘in this life I find that I can make very close friends with people who I’ve just met – or never even met in person in a couple of instances’ – When we are truly connected with ourselves and our own body it is easy to stay connected with others as well, in fact it is our natural way of being to stay connected with each other as opposed to hiding out in separation.

206. I have never been asked if I’m in a cult but if I was I would be very interested to know if the person asking could define what a cult is.

207. We need to take off the labels we have bastardized words with before we actually know what we are talking about, otherwise the words we use don´t express what we are saying and what we are saying is not truly expressed. Many words we have heavily bastardized like love, truth, cult, religion, harmony, joy, trust, confidence, ethics and much more. It is by living that we know the true and full meaning of words.

208. The word ‘cult’ comes with such a derogatory feeling, and it’s such a label that can be assumed of a group of people who are choosing to live a certain way that is different to the current norm. But anyone who chooses to judge is putting themselves in a position of righteousness and assumed authority over someone else’s choices and someone else’s life. Who has the right to do this?

209. We are where and who we are in life because of our decisions and alignment to whatever we choose. Call it what you may, but the true measure of a way of life is in its quality, and that can only be known by observing the people that live it and how they are day-to-day. The Way of the Livingness is the most incredible example of this – lives lived in brotherhood and inclusivity, with health and vitality…. and the bottom line is Love.

210. One of the many things I love about ‘life number one’ is the opportunity to start every day afresh, where there is the understanding that we are always learning and no searching for an illusionary, elusive ‘perfection’.

211. I am still smitten by the line ‘what did I bring to everyone today’ and since reading this bog have been living by this and it has allowed me to be so much more open, expressive, selfless. It confirms that life 1 is what I know is true and needed in the world.

     1. Yes, a simple but incredibly powerful question to ask ourselves at the end of the day, something that keeps things real and helps us stay connected and not checked out.

212. In this life my work ethic is that of “I’ll do only what I have to” just to make a comfortable living.’ Yes I have witnessed this work ‘ethic’ that you describe in life no.2, Michael. Recently I have been having some house renovations done and it is so interesting to feel the difference between those workmen that bring their all to the job, and this one man who was so resentful of working. I understand how this man felt but it was so dreary to have him in the house, knowing he was not enjoying what he was doing. I certainly will not be employing him again. It was interesting that the wonderful worker who put in my windows actually recommended him. When one works in this way, only doing what one has to do, it not only doesn’t bring an energetic blessing, but it is very draining on the person doing it.

213. If both were a cult, I know which one I would join. It’s laid out plain and simple in this awesome blog.

214. Life 1 has true purpose, life 2 does not and so there is instead a constant need for stimulation, distraction and dulling of life.

215. Life No 1 is to be aligned to the natural flow and order of life and is to feel the harmony that is there within ourselves and nature.

216. In the end it does not matter what words we stick on something, it is in the way that we live that we will find the proof for ourselves and eventually this way of living will be seen by others and they will want to learn about it. This why with Universal Medicine there is no recruiting, no ‘keeping people with the program’ as there is only one way, the way, and that is coming from within ourselves.

217. “….tomorrow is a brand new day and a brand new opportunity to re-imprint the previous day and to work on lessening those reactions, if not ditch them completely.” To be able to approach every day with the understanding that each new day offers us new opportunities for us to willingly take up what is on offer, whether its what we thought we wanted to be doing or not, is really the key to developing a life of honesty, openness and harmonious connection with others. Its when we dig our heels in, and expect everything to go ‘our own way’ and get frustrated and grumpy if they don’t, that life gets complex and erratic with recurring problems.

218. Yes, Michael, Life Number 2 may seem to be free to choose, but it is in fact a self-made prison without windows.

     1. And no mirrors either!

219. .’ I wear baggy and posture-altering clothes that put a slant on my body and my speech, as I make it about labels and the latest ‘trends’, following what everyone else is doing and not what truly supports me.’ The words ‘slant on my body and my speech’ are very interesting. I am currently tutoring a number of young students going for English Literature in their final year exam. All of them are lovely, fresh, intelligent young people, and yet everyone of them speaks with a ‘slant’ in their speech – it is like a strange clipped rhythm, almost like a speech impediment and can be difficult to decipher sometimes. My feeling is that it comes from imitating certain trendy movie/ media speech out there and also comes from a protection of wanting to hide what they are saying in case they are wrong – whatever it is the speech does not come from the rhythm of truth but is kind of disguise. Be interested to hear any comments from others who have come across this trend, and what they feel it is.

     1. For me it was to hide my tender nature. I could be rough easily with that language and speech. I can only speculate for others but my feeling is that it would be similar.

        1. Thank you for that Michael. That is so important to remember – how young men will have to hide their true tenderness in such a world as ours. My awareness of the level of brutality in the world has grown over the last few years – something which I thought was more of a rarity is in fact woven into the very foundation and fabric of our society.

220. Lifestyle 1 is inspiring and you can feel this more and more as you read it, not true of lifestyle 2…

221. Give me life number 1 every time and you can even say I am in a cult if you want. I have nothing to lose as I know who I am.

222. Seeing everything as an opportunity to learn, brings a deep humility and joy to living, it’s an invitation to see life as a school, a training ground from which to build a firmer understanding of all that we stand in.

     1. Allowing ourselves the grace to be in the training ground does wonders for our self worth and acceptance.

223. Yes, Michael. I can feel the quality of each version of life and am familiar with both. It is interesting to recall the feeling of deadness and pointlessness to everything living version two, a disconnection that I no longer choose for myself in any way.

224. Meeting others along the way in life that we connect with is not strange, what is strange can be the way this plays out in society. Does it exclude, judge and marginalise others in its delivery…or does it embrace humanity. My way of life is about growing, learning and being responsible, I have meet others that feel the same way. They are students of life, and Universal Medicine is a beautiful organisation offering valuable training and courses for life for all of humanity, this organisation brought us in contact with each other and I say Thank you for that.

225. This to me is a loving way to live: “This life is not and does not have the pressure to be perfect. Living this life, I am always given the space to learn and take lessons from life’s events and challenges and never be condemned or judged.” Thank you Michael for this gorgeous reminder!

226. The word Cult is often used in a way to stigmatize or label another in a negative way, implying that one has been brainwashed or one is too stupid in some way. It is rare to find someone using this word in a supportive way! Michael, I love how you have shared your life pre and post Universal Medicine – this totally blasts out any labeling of a cult and exposes that Universal Medicine’s only ‘agenda’ is to be there, are true support for those choosing to claim this in their lives.

     1. It is great to talk about how we fear monger and ignorantly label about cults, feeding the stereotyping and stigmatisation. We have so many blindly held beliefs and really do have a responsibility to excavate these.

227. In the past, I have embraced and immersed myself in lifestyle 2 to the point of being able to wear the T-shirt that says; been there, done that, and didn’t like it. The two lifestyles are like the universe; one is a black-hole that sucks the life out of all that get drawn in, the other is everything else and continuously expanding.

228. Being able to see the effects of both lives having lived both, I always find it strange when people think I am now weird living life one, when before they didn’t when I was on a sure fire way to an early grave.

229. I had so much joy to read your awesome blog Michael and this sentence particularly: “Feel free to re-read both lives however many times you like, and see the clarity of what each life has on offer for Humanity as a whole.” It is a wonderful invitation for humanity to love humanity a bit more.

230. Life 1 and Life 2 can only be either or. We cannot choose both. When we select one we are saying no to the other, and it depends on our consistency.

231. Yes I am in a cult – the culture of God and the living ways of Heaven on earth.

     1. Lyndy, I love your play on words too with ‘Cult’ being a part of the word Culture! And yes, though the word ‘Cult’ is more frequently used in a negative way, we have to bring in humour to realise that everyone is in some form of Cult/culture!

232. ‘Seeing the great domino effect my steadiness, respect and love for people can have with friends, family, colleagues and customers at work, makes my heart dance.’ So it doesn’t get more purposeful than this. What I know of what is considered a cult is that people are enlisted to remain in a closed community. This is the opposite to that, it’s people being inspired and spreading the respect and joy without boundaries, discrimination or limits.

     1. Well said Karin, often cults segregate themselves from the rest of the community, whereas the people who live the life that Michael has described in the first example actively seek to be with the rest of humanity, knowing that it is our living way that inspires another, no preaching or conversion necessary, we know that it is through our bodies and the way that we move that we are able to silently convey the truth to another.

233. Life 1 is all about brotherhood; life 2 is all about self… when we all crave true connection with another/others, what makes us choose a life all about self?

234. Life No.1 allows us to grow, learn, evolve and discover more of who we are, empowering us to break through our self-imposed limits with astounding consequences. We enrich not only our lives but the lives of all we engage with and one that I personally will never walk away from. What a huge shift it has been to leave our mainstream cult driven way of life and head for a truly open road.

235. We all are in a cult, the cult called creation.
     It is those who dare to leave the cult that then are denounced for being in a cult – and they are – they join the culture of God.

     1. Very true Alex and well said!

     2. Those who dare to choose to leave creation are showing that there is another way, challenging the status quo, thereby, presenting everyone with a different choice which is what causes the reaction. That choice is asking everyone to take responsibility for how they/we are choosing to live, rather than blindly staying comfortable and not caring about the truth of where we are and what we are choosing. The culture of God is only about truth.

     3. Beautifully summarised Alexander, simple words of wisdom.

236. When we choose the number 1 way of life, we stand out like stars in the night sky showing all that care to observe that there is another way.

237. To make being over-weight, over drinking, excessive TV watching, arguing, lack of motivation and a general dissatisfaction of life as normal and preferable to version 1 then something is defiantly out of balance. Which version is out of balance is up to every reader to decide. But I can whole heartedly say that version 1 is my preference and while not perfect, I am learning and committed to living life this way. Anyone may call it what they will, but this will not stop me from choosing what I know truly supports me and others close to me best.

238. When I decided to stop drinking alcohol because I could sense how it did not agree with me, I came under a lot of pressure from family and friends to keep drinking. It was almost like I had broken some unwritten rule of society, and going against this I could feel the collective force of those wanting to keep things the same. There are many such unwritten rules of society that tell us how we should be and live, which make it harder for us to really connect with and sense for ourselves how we feel we should live.

239. I have also wondered what living in a cult actually means and I love your answer:
     ‘Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success.’

240. Michael, your life number one above sounds so awesome that I cannot imagine anyone not wanting it for themselves. The great thing is that no-one had to join anything, they just have to reconnect with who they are.

241. I agree, Michael. It is hard to understand how anyone could dispute, mock and even attack anyone who chooses to live responsibly and consider the ripple effect of all of their choices, unless it painfully shows where they are not making such loving choices in their own lives.

242. The difference between life 1 and life 2 is like chalk and cheese. The difference is the awareness and care in the first example that transforms life and interactions. The second example is void of this and stinks of a lazy life with no concern or care for others.

243. I am in a cult that is focused on a way of living that: supports people to discern for themselves what is true and that that truth is universal; does not leave anyone less than another by that way of living, nor impose in any way ideals and beliefs upon another; and by living in this way results in: enhanced health and well-being; a deep connection with love and by living in this way offers a reflection to others to do likewise if they so wish.

244. If life 1 is living in a cult then it is a first of it’s kind, unlike anything ever described by that word before and I’m in with both feet.

     1. Agreed Michael, no other ‘cult’ that I’ve heard of in the media is like life number 1.

245. ‘what does being in a cult actually mean?’ – Thanks for asking the question and bringing awareness to this topic, there seems to be a lot of confusion around what it actually means.

     1. I agree Eva, but the word ‘cult’ always tends to be used to single people out and separate them from the rest of society, there is an element of fear in not understanding and perhaps even wanting to understand what the ‘cult’ is about, but still wanting to banish it away from everyday life so it can’t interfere with the status quo.

246. Life’s too short. Life Fast, Die Young. You only get one life. All mantras of Life #2. It’s only when we start to align to Life #1, that these sayings are exposed for the abject irresponsibility that they represent.

247. When I lived life like the life described in the second example, I would have sworn blind that I was having a great time but now that I am living life as described in the first version, I find it flabbergasting that I thought for all of those years that I was enjoying myself. The level of deceit, lies and deliberate trickery in the world is unfathomable, but what is even harder to comprehend is that we are the ones that are making it all up! We could pull the plug on the whole stinking lot but who’s gonna be the first one to make a move?

248. To me it is simple, you can feel the quality of the two lives and what is supporting the person who is choosing it and it’s quite clear which one is a cult. Now that’s scary considering the majority live it and consider it normal.

249. ‘If the latter is the case, then tomorrow is a brand new day and a brand new opportunity to re-imprint the previous day and to work on lessening those reactions, if not ditch them completely.’ Every day is a new day, a fresh start to make changes, it is never too late to live a different way no matter what age we are and when we treat life this way we no longer need to bash ourselves or be critical because each moment is another moment to learn.

250. ‘The cult of irresponsibility’ which we don’t want to see because that’s how most of us are living, attached to comfort and not accepting that there is so much more to life.

251. I remember telling a very old friend about my association with Universal Medicine and the first question he asked me was, Are you in a cult? I thought at the time that this was a very strange question to ask me, as I had very different ideas of what a cult looked like and Universal Medicine being anything close to being a cult had never even entered my mind. Later finding that others were trying to brand it as a cult was upsetting, as they were obviously coming at something they really knew nothing about.

     1. I feel when people use the word ‘cult’ it is often impulsed from a place of fear, a fear that is concerned that their way of life may be impacted by this ‘strange’ group. Does this then show that energetically something is being felt that is challenging the person to feel this way? Maybe they have connected to the truth of what is being presented but are reacting to the next step which is to be aware of the choice being shown to them, asking that we take responsibility for how we are living, as we are always affecting everyone and everything with our choices.

     2. I find it really bizarre when people ask me if I am in a cult. It is a question that does not come from them observing me and the way I work, live, interact with others etc., it feels like it is a fear based reaction to hearsay and gossip.

        1. ..and it gives a perfect excuse to not be further interested and bothered about what teachings and revelations get actually presented by the so called “cult”.

252. I much prefer the first version of living life and if that’s a cult, I’m in. Where can I join?
     The second one, the cult of normalcy, is a mere and very predictable existence in comparison.

     1. Yes well said, Gabriele. The cult of normalcy, which seemingly gives us permission to live purely for self gain and comfort and does not even uphold decency or respect for another, is not something that I choose to subscribe to.

253. I love your definition of what a cult actually is Michael: ‘Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success’. ‘Cult’ is part of the word ‘culture’ and I heard a wonderful definition of the ‘cultures’ of the earth last night which went something like ‘ culture is the study of all the ways humans have found to live what they are not. Humans cling to cultures because they are refusing to step up and be who they are.’

254. Life 1 – ‘“What did I bring to everyone today?” ….. Life 2 ‘This life is about building a life such that it is all about me and everything that suits me.’. One is all about life revolving around us and what we can get out of it. The other is all about connection with ourselves and with everyone else and us all moving forward together.

255. Life number two is what a majority of the world’s population lives in. It is a blessing to the rest of the world when anyone chooses to step away from life number two and into life number one. You can feel the lightness, love, warmth, aliveness, purpose and evolving way life number one is. Also, it is incredible to see more and more people return to love and truth, and life number one, this will be our norm.

256. Great expose of the cult of normality Michael…and also a life of Truth.

257. I have noticed that most of us are great at complaining about how terrible things are but the moment there is a suggestion about taking personal responsibility for things people tend to back away. It is as if we do not want to roll our sleeves up and get engaged with things. And when someone does make that change and we witness the results, often instead of seeing it as an inspiration there is an attempt to seduce the other person back to the old ways or make them wrong in some way.
     Why on earth do we start calling perfectly ordinary people as being in a cult or such things? So much wiser for each of us to embrace being inspired and learning from one another.

258. I feel like there are many other words that get banded around and lose their true and original meaning that would be worth questioning… religion, love, friend, to name but a few.

259. Well said Richard. And probably most people would be able to tell that there has to be some personal vendetta behind the crazy things that are written about Universal Medicine and its practitioners.

260. The question ‘Are you in a cult?’ is an attempt to close us down.. I love your reply to ask exactly what that question means.The idea of selling out what you truly feel to follow a path that others take without any thought of what you are doing, fits Life No 2, yet the people living that sort of life question Life No 1. Strange.

261. Every choice in life comes down to two options really. To either make movements towards opening up more with yourself, with others and in that contributing a quality to ourselves, friends, family, community and beyond OR to make choices that disregard ourselves and others.

262. I love working too, paid and unpaid, because I love being with myself and feeling what it brings to others more and more and that is definitely part of a life lived like your life number one.

263. We are at a point in where life is going as a society that we have to be honest and admit that the way we are living is not working, the example of life 2. Illness and Disease is growing by the day and as much as western medicine is doing its best to support and cure the symptoms, it is not dealing with the root cause. Universal Medicine presents The Way of The Livingness, life 1 and here we are dealing with and healing our root causes. A life of living responsibly and joyfully in all that we do. For me it was a no brainier and can feel how living in this way has changed my whole approach to life and connecting to my inner essence first and foremost, is the starting point.

264. Yes, Michael, you have depicted the life full of self and lacking in purpose very well in version 2. The more we live in separation to one another and denature ourselves, the higher the suicide rates will continue to rise.

     1. Janet indeed they will, I know that I felt suicidal at times in the past and that was always when I was furthest away from being in connection with myself and others.

     2. The crazy part is, whether we realise it or not, what we all crave more than anything else in the world is connection, to love and be loved, this is Life 1. This life is all about living the love that we are, no holding back.

     3. Great point Janet, in life number two, people suffering from depression and multiple illness and disease is the norm. This is sadly the picture of our current society. Thanks to people like Michael, I feel this trend is going to slowly change as more and more people see the reflection of life number one being lived and shared.

265. ‘In this life I have little reason to get out of bed, unless I HAVE to go to school or work. I often feel lifeless and lethargic, apathetic to serious worldly affairs. I find myself heavily invested in what my peers want me to do, all in fear of being ostracised and ridiculed if I were to go against the grain.’ – I remember living this life too, it lacked connection and purpose. Life 1 is all about connection and purpose – it’s the rudder to my ship and the wind in my sails.

266. So does being in a cult mean that we do things without truly discerning if they are true evolutionary activities, behaviours and attitudes that benefit us all to return to our real purpose here on Earth, or do we just go along with the crowd, knowing deep inside it’s not right, but that is the most comfortable thing to do?

     1. And that is exactly the vicious circle we are on, we turn a blind eye and give in to how the world is and with that repeat that what we do not want to repeat. But we must understand that it is every single one of us who determines the way life is here on earth and thus we have to make the steps that we know are true, there is no one else who will do it for us nor will there be a miracle happening to turn the world in to the truth that we deep down know.

267. Michael, it is brilliant how you have so clearly shown the difference between these two ways of living. For years I lived the second life and felt empty, lacking in confidence and unwell as a result. Now I choose to live differently and am choosing life number one – this life is full of purpose and care for myself and others. As a result of living this life I feel mostly well and much more confident in myself and open and loving with people.

268. Both ways of life you mention Michael, I do know well too, but to be honest I prefer the first life whatever people may think of it.

269. The word cult has been made very negative, possibly such that it can be used to classify, diminish and ridicule people who live in a way of living that feels disturbing, or even terrifying to the group that declares this group to be a cult, as a way to protect their way of living they feel is challenged by what is presented.

     1. Indeed Richard, that it is, the word cult is been used as a weapon to try to hurt and shut down the reflection that is disturbing their lives and indeed asks them to become more responsible for all the atrocities that take place in our societies today.

270. There is no judgement on either lifestyle, been in both and what is in Truth cultish is mostly accepted as our norm. So judgement has not gotten us very far. No eyes can be opened before they are ready because the body does not want to feel the love that is truly is. So judgment plays no part in returning to what is true.

271. Living outside the cult of irresponsibility leaves you open to ostracism and ridicule and yet this is the path I’ve chosen, regardless of what others think of me. For example, I may be judged to live a boring life for not drinking alcohol or going out at night or needing external entertainment. Whereas the beauty of my life is living simply and knowing who I am. This is in itself is joyful.

272. A revealing expose of two contrasting ways of being in life and nonsensical that Life Number 2 is the one considered normal and accepted by the vast majority of people.

273. Great to bring a reality to how we are choosing to live, that the ‘norm’ is just as much a cult because there is a group of people blindly following another/others.

274. When we label someone as something, do we use words loosely or actually consider what they mean, whether we are expressing from judgement and the effect this label could have on them?

275. A life of purpose love and connecting with others, if you are in a cult it would be the culture of God. Beautiful sharing Michael.

276. The crazy thing is life number two is very much accepted in our current society, when you live this way no one seems to question what you are doing. No one seems to challenge you and you are left alone to trash your body and your life. But if you choose to step up and switch from life number two to number one, you are most likely going to be challenged, labeled as being in a cult and questioned. Doesn’t this seem a bit strange why people find it confronting when we choose to live a true way of life?

277. In plain and simple words you have captured what commonly is understood to happen with someone in a cult: selling oneself out, giving one´s power away to others, being controlled and manipulated by outer forces, losing one´s sense of self and brains etc. Sounds like life as we see it all around us every day with billions of people living as if it is the normal thing to do. Tcha?

278. What is striking is how the second life is deemed so normal and the first peculiar and to be treated with suspicion. Crazy that we live so far from a harmonious life that this can be the case all around the world.

     1. True, Vanessa. It is a shocking indictment of a loveless society that we are more familiar with version 2, and that version 1 is seen as weird.

        1. It certainly does offer us a reflection of where we are at as a society, the question is, what will our next move be? The key to re-acquainting ourselves with the truth is for us to re-connect, listen to the loving support from our body and trust in our own wisdom.

279. If being in a cult means living a life of growth, love and joy then it is a most befitting label for the first life you describe – however it does not mean those things and is used as a way to insight fear and suspicion of others and how they live.

280. Whilst the choice may seem obvious, for how many is the second their reality, and a reality they get much enjoyment out of? It is after all, all about them and their needs, desires, reactions and emotions, whilst the first option is all about what we can bring to others. Whilst it is clear from the feel of the two lives that the first is light and uncomplicated and beautiful, it is not many peoples chosen experience and so may seem far-fetched or hard to live, like a fairy tale. But what if it wasn’t? What if it is in truth down simply to our choices, our choices of the individual over the all?

     1. Great to introduce choice as an underpinning and essential factor in the teachings of Universal Medicine, which in itself reveals why it does not meet the ‘cult criteria’.

        1. I agree Matilda, nowhere else has the responsibility and the reality of our choice in life been more explained and honoured than at the Universal Medicine presentations. Everyone is free to make any choice they wish, but we cannot back away from calling a spade a spade and calling unloving choices unloving choices if that is what they are. We often like the free will to do as we wish so long as no one makes us responsible or accountable for our choices.

281. We can throw around words and call somebody names, but it is always our living ways that speak of the quality we live in, and the life number one that you are describing is definitely a quality of life we all deserve to feel and live.

     1. Living this way is being true to who we already are, this life is already there for the taking, it’s within each and every one of us, it’s just up to us to choose it.

282. One life is lived from the wisdom of body, the other is from the coldness of the mind.

283. Thanks, dear Michael, for describing it so simple and true. This puts everything back into perspective and gives the space for a choice: live with our heart and soul, seeing the equality in all, or live forever searching the reason for existence outside or ourselves and making it about me and comfort.

     1. Life one confirms all that we already are and all that we already have, it’s about living the love that we are in connection with everyone and everything – feeling our part in the whole divine Universe. In life 2 we are dis-connected from all that we are and search outside ourselves for what is missing, looking for answers, but everything that we ‘think’ we want turns out not to be ‘IT’.

        1. The search in life 2 is never ending, for the truth cannot be found without connection to the whole, to our divine origin.

284. ‘What did I bring to peoples lives each day?’ – this is just a gorgeous way to live – to be at a point where we know life is about other people and relationships. Michael – number 1 all the way – and your sharing truly exposes the reactions that come with Living this way and the truth about many of the choices we make.

285. Yes please sign me up for the life number 1 🙂
     In fact it’s kind of a no brainer, I don’t think I know anyone who, if offered the two options, wouldn’t pick that one. It would be a great question to ask ourselves: if the first type of life is so much more appealing how come most of us end up living the second?

286. Thank you Elizabeth for those beautiful words.

287. Number 1 life, where you know you are given every opportunity and take responsibility for them, is a life worth living, as you so simply say “it is about making every day count”.

288. For me I feel we are actually living in a cult without being aware of it. It’s so ingrained in our society that when someone has the temerity to stand up and suggest that maybe the way we are living is actually harming to ourselves, we raise up against that person for having the honesty to question the way we live, as we feel that it’s very comfortable living in this cult even though we know on some level it is killing us.

     1. “For me I feel we are actually living in a cult without being aware of it. ..” Well said Mary, I agree. There are many activities in society that people get ‘in to’ yet its not until you start to open your eyes and truly see how attached we are to ‘comfort’ and ‘lifestyle’ that you then begin to see how hoodwinked we have been.

289. Clearly the cult is the one where we are so changed and constrained by social norms that there is no joy in our day at all. There is nothing that makes sense about this life unless you know the difference between the individuality seeking spirit life and the all inclusive and loving life of the soul.

290. “Witnessing withdrawn people opening up to me and to others, having a rare hearty laugh, is what makes this life worth living.” Totally agree with you on this one, one of life’s greatest pleasures.

291. Just reading about life number one, feels open, expansive and inclusive of us all. It is confirming of what I am putting practice into living. Life number two feels suffocating! If a cult is about fitting into a designated way of behaving that is at odds with our true expression, then number two fits the bill. As I’ve experienced life, there are many ‘cults’ I’ve belonged to that would never dream of considering themselves as such. So it’s interesting that what is considered so dangerous – being in a cult, is used to label a way of living that is completely unrelated. Could it be that the number one way of living is exposing how dominated many of us are by having to be a certain way that isn’t true to us, and is actually damaging our health and well-being?

292. Life 2 sums it up for a lot of people including myself, yet it would never be considered a cult because this is what has been accepted as our normal. When I first attended a workshop by Universal Medicine as taught by Serge Benhayon, it was a massive stop moment for me. A moment where I had the space to consider there was another way. What took me to the point of attending was that I had given up on life and was withdrawing because it didn’t feel true and I knew there had to be something else, and there is.

293. When my experience of life was example 2, I thought that I was free to make choices about how I was living but now I realise that I wasn’t free to choose at all, in fact I was a living puppet, a play thing of the Astral. Through living the life as described in the first example, I have learnt that none of us are ever the free agents that we perceive ourselves to be, but I have also learnt how to ensure that I have the biggest say possible in what choices are available to me, and that is by choosing the way that I move.

294. What you have presented here Micheal is brilliant. The contrast between the two lives is crystal clear and leaves us asking are we living a life of truth, integrity and purpose, or are we making life all about indulgences for oursleves? A very exposing and humbling read. Thank you.

295. What strikes me is that Life #1 can be encapsulated in all its fullness in a few short sentences. Yet Life #2 needs an endless and infinite list and could actually be added to ad infinitum by you, me and anyone else. And this makes total sense – in Life # 2 we are NEVER complete, so the list of what makes up that life is endless and the feeling in that life is one of constant tension as we scramble to try to find that completeness. I find it fascinating and very confirming to look at it this way.

     1. I love this observation Otto. When I read about life one, it is very confirming and sure, supporting to feel the meaning of life, but in life two it is very egocentric, closed and hard.

        1. It has to be ‘closed’, because if we were to be ‘open’ we would see the lie that life#2 is.

     2. In life #1 we are always complete yet there is always more to deepen into. It’s a fascinating science when one starts to study it.

        1. I like this. Being complete doesn’t negate that there is more to do, but it is an expansion of that which is already confirmed. Whereas in life#2, it is a constant filling of a bucket riddled with holes.

        2. Love it… feeling complete (as in wanting of nothing) does not mean we give up on the always more to learn and ‘deepen into’.

     3. Brilliant observation Otto. We all have our stories of life no. 2 that go on ad infinitum because we have to constantly create the new solution, the new distraction from the tension of not feeling complete and settled in ourselves. I remember getting excited over the new film just out, the new album, the new relationship, the new updated whatever, etc .All hold the promise/illusion of being what we have been searching for; and if doesn’t satisfy then the next one will. Whilst life no.1 holds us in a quality that is everything we have ever searched for.

296. A cult is a band of people who judge and ostracise those that do not conform to their way of living. Try telling people that you don’t drink (not because you used to be an alcoholic – purely because you feel that it does not support you to be the all that you are).

     1. Very true Otto, the interrogation and coercion to change that decision that follows is quite a force to witness.

        1. Absolutely. A force will always be required to defend an untruth, whereas the expression of truth carries no imposition. Which is exactly what my experience of 12 years of Universal Medicine has been. Never, ever, once, I have ever felt any imposition of force to do anything whatsoever. At every stage of the way, it has always been entirely my choice.

        2. And how blessed we are that you make the choices you do🌟

297. The word ‘cult’ has become such a derogatory term. Someone accused me of being in a cult recently and I found myself becoming very defensive. But why do I need to prove to anyone that I am not in a cult? Let them think what they like.

298. Richard indeed it’s incredible to experience life number one, why would we ever want to change from life number one. What I love in what you share here is whatever people may call it, it does not take away from the power and potential in life one.

299. I like the detail of the clothing – and there are so many other examples of this – where our everyday choices, no natter how seemingly mundane, can either keep us aligned to one life or open us up to the possibility of another.

300. Life No 2 is all about living for me, selfish and full of self. Life No 1 is living in service, doing what needs to be done, by bringing all of self but without self. What a contrast to feel.

301. The choice we have every day brilliantly presented – a caring, committed, developing life infused with purpose – or – a life absent of care and full of distraction, indulgence and low standards. And like you say, every day is a new opportunity to choose what we really want.

302. One of the more remarkable aspects of the second life is how little energy we have with that lifestyle even if we live it in a much less extreme way.

303. My 8-year-old daughter just asked me what a cult is. In trying to define it for her it was suggested that it was a group of people who come together held by a set of ideals and beliefs with extreme tendencies of behaviour. Of course, Universal Medicine is the total opposite of that but where as a student body we can get caught out is that sometimes we live ahead of ourselves being rigid with the teachings we understand but then try to impose them. Of course, the Ageless Wisdom certainly doesn’t impose its teachings and it is certainly more about letting things go rather than taking them on, but as a whole and in the main the tendencies of behaviour from the student body are to live more responsibly and more lovingly. If we have been labelled as a cult then there is certainly something for us to look at in how we are expressing or reinterpreting what we have been offered.

304. Life number 1 is our norm, a life lived from our hearts in connection with all. When we disconnect from our inner truth, the life number 2 becomes the default choice. Superb clarification of how we slide into the cults of trends, fashion, politics, rebellion and so on without a second glance and the irony of the fact that when we see others leading Life number 1, we point the finger and label them as living in a cult.

305. Thank you Michael. I understand that you are talking generally about what it means to be in a cult, and this is lovely. However, there are some very real and very damaging cult organisations operating in the world today, and these can not be taken lightly for the harm that they cause. And, in my experience, most if not all the people who are involved in these organisations do truly believe that what they are doing, or are a part of, is for the benefit of all, that they are being outstandingly self-less and are in service to humanity. So, it is important to be very clear and straight forward about what it is to be living with the Soul, how this looks in life and what quality this brings to life, because the reinterpretations that come can be strong and convincing. Therefore to be absolute in your knowing of what it is to live with the Soul is vital, so that there can be a contrast to all else that is known and experienced as the truth.

306. Thanks, Michael. In terms of contributing to society and supporting each other to evolve, it is very clear which option is purposeful and expansive and which one keeps us going round in ever-decreasing circles of lovelessness and retardation. Why would we want this for ourselves and others?

307. I can definitely see why you prefer life number one to number two Michael. Life number one sounds much more fun!

308. Eventually we will all end up as one in Life one, but until that time comes it is important to live a life that inspires people, without judgement or comparison, so that the life of two no longer holds the comfort we all fall for.

     1. Leadership through reflection rather than imposition.

309. Because we as human beings tend to live our lives in separation from one another we only allow others in our group that do have the same ideals and beliefs we have. And when we then observe a group that has different ideals and beliefs we tend to fight them because they do not match ours, and do make us feel uncomfortable in our own beliefs. One way to fight another group is to name them to be a cult, a word we have created a very negative image about, simply to diminish and ridicule the people that are in this group.

310. It is interesting to ponder on the fact that we try to be perfect while we continuously fail in achieving that. You may ask, are we blind to this reality and in that blindness do continue to strive for perfection instead? To me there is more to this trying to get life perfect in this three dimensional world. it is because we are connected to a grander whole, the universe, in which everything is in perfect synchronism and in obedience to that grand order. We as human beings here on earth however, have difficulties to obey to this order because we want to have ‘our own’ creation that because of this choice can never be perfect.

311. The two lives are virtually opposite and opposed to each other. For me what stands out this morning is the fact that one is all about us, and one is all about everyone equally, including us equally.

312. Re Life number 2 – so well described Michael:’ This life is about building a life such that it is all about me and everything that suits me.’ One wonders who that ‘me’ may be. It certainly couldn’t be a ‘me’ that considers anyone else in the equation, which means that that ‘me’ has completely missed out on the beautiful teachings of Jeshua in the Piscean Age. This ‘me’ is very retro and retarding its footsteps to our way back Home.

313. ‘I spend a lot of time working, not only at my paid job but for a variety of projects and organisations that support communities locally and worldwide.’ – I love what you are sharing with this Michael, the joy we receive in choosing to work on projects that support the wider community. The love we openly offer each other is offered straight back to us, such a gift. It is very beautiful to feel and claim the part that we play is the absolutely magnificent whole that we are all an equal part of.

314. My perception of a cult is when someone allows themselves to give their power away to someone or something else. Where we are making choices that are not impulsed from our soul but from a source outside our selves. When we feel that someone else is greater, ‘grander’ than we are, that they have all the answers that we seek. Choosing to live the love that we innately are is honouring the truth of who we are, it is understanding, appreciating and claiming all that we have to offer and sharing this with everyone.

315. Am I in a cult? I certainly was when I was rolling spliffs, taking ecstasy and following others in their cars to raves. I was not myself, more of a puppet playing along with what I needed to do to fit into my cult life.

316. Michael there is such exquisite intimacy in how you have shared your first example, which makes it so easy to feel the beautiful man that you are. Whereas I can’t access you in the second example, it’s like you’re not there, you’re just a body going through the motions. And there’s a rough hardness to those motions, a brash disconnectedness that prevents me from feeling the truth of you.

317. ‘Although not perfected, it is about making every day count, whether out in society or at home’, Michael, this line stood out to me for the level of responsibility and integrity that it reflects. And it is this level of responsibility and integrity that are missing from the second example of how to live. One way is all about self and the other is about humanity, even when we are at home by ourselves.

318. How we live our life is reflected in what comes back to us, and so when we have deep respect and love for ourselves that is naturally offered to others (Life 1). “Seeing the great domino effect my steadiness, respect and love for people can have … makes my heart dance.” The joy of loving and respecting ourselves is the joy that returns to us. Looking at life 2, the day starts with misery and ends in misery and consequently abuse… quite a contrast.

319. Well you certainly have given a great example of what a cult looks like, yet we as a human race have decided that is our normal. To question that like you have and then make different choices and gone against the normal trend is super cool and courageous.

320. Thanks Michael, placing the two different lives side by side really highlights the differences between living impulsed from and connected to Soul in life 1, and living from spirit and individuality in life 2. There are many variations of life 2, but life 1 always contains love, joy, truth, stillness and harmony.

     1. Yes, Melinda, there is a simplicity in Life 1 as our heart is beating to one drum…the ever expanding pulse of love.

321. Life No 2 is the normal for many in society but when we can live in Life No 1, why would we choose that? Is it that Life No 2 is the cult life many have chosen to blinker their way through their lives?

     1. If we really want to know the truth of how we are choosing to live, this question is worthy of our deepest consideration and absolute honesty.

     2. The funny thing is that those in life no. 2 don’t choose life no.1 either. What is stopping them?

     3. It’s strong that you use the word ‘blinker’. One of the primary ‘symptoms’ of a cult is said to be that it blinkers their members – making them unable to see the wood from the trees. Well, that is exactly what Life #2 is and exactly what Life #1 is not. Life #1 is a life of our eyes opening wider and wider and deeper and deeper commitment to the all – rather than the blinkered, myopic, centralised life that most of us live.

        1. Agreed Otto, there’s a marked difference between Life number 1 ‘ eyes wide open’ and “deeper commitment to the all’ and Life number 2 where most people sleep-walk through life, not deeply feeling or caring about others outside themselves or immediate circles. This is a numbed existence, where we survive but not truly live. Thanks to Universal Medicine, I now know there’s much more to life than this and that’s why I have chosen Life number 1

        2. It’s interesting that you use the word ‘numbed’ – this and so many other words used within these comments to describe Life #2 are exactly the words that are attributed to those that are believed to be in a cult.

322. ‘Living this life, I am always given the space to learn and take lessons from life’s events and challenges and never be condemned or judged.’ Being given space to figure things out for ourselves without judgement or comparison is the complete antithesis of what a cult stands for, and yet this has been my consistent experience since attending Universal Medicine presentations and provides yet more evidence of the complete ridiculousness of the lies that have been circulating.

323. It is certain that there will be a domino effect of our choices, and only we can determine what the quality and outcome of this effect will be. Do we choose to contribute to a loveless or harming society through how we live, or do we choose to inspire?

     1. Sure Susie, we tend to fit in to a world that in general is not supportive and in honour of who we are while we also can make another choice, to choose to live that what we feel from within life should be. And with that we can be an inspiration for others showing there is another way which we can equally choose.

324. You definitely are out of this world Michael Brown and so are we all and as you show the way we have manufactured of living as ‘just human’ entrenched in everyday drama is contrived, illusionary and deeply harming to us all. Our culture as a society needs more Love.

325. I laughed as I read the first description because it is so true, I love all the work that I do so I don’t need a day off. I wake up so alive and ready to go and enjoy having so much purpose to live that I can’t believe that I used to live the absolute opposite of how I do today.
     Funny thing is, when I was in a cult, I had nothing and didn’t care but at the same time wanted the lottery to fix it all for me but I didn’t want to do anything about.
     These days I own my own house, I have a nice car and I did it all for myself and enjoyed every part of it. Big difference.

     1. This is very inspiring and lovely to read. Loving every minute of being here on earth and bringing through amazingness – what’s not to love. I’m inspired because I am just starting to see how deep the trappings of everyday life I’ve bought into to give me some reward. It’s wonderful because through this honesty I can break free of them – including the cycle of doing something with effort, then feeling I’m owed a reward for that effort. So different to being in the joy of whatever it is I’m doing and not needing rewards.

        1. The actual doing it is the reward, if you enjoy the moment, you don’t need anything at the end as you are already preparing for what is next.

326. Great description Michael and I never realised how I had so lived in a cult earlier on in life. I didn’t really understand the meaning of the word but when you describe it like this, it makes sense.

327. The contrast between the two ways of living are stark. One holds love and integrity as a foundation, it is not perfect but just willing to be honest and live from theses qualities. The other way doesn’t embrace holding up a mirror to how it is impacting the world; blame and scapegoating seem to come easily to it.

328. Wow Michael, this blog is delivered from such a true authority and power. Awesome!

329. Michael your distinction is so clearly spelled out – between the two ways of living life, one engaged and purposeful and the other all about me and my coping indulgences. When we are at the end of life how have we prepared for the next one?
     .

330. “Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success”. Great definition. “Are you in a cult?” is a question every single member of humanity needs to ask themselves – frequently – because we have created a world that keeps asking us to do exactly that all of the time.

331. The difference between the two lives described is what we measure succes by. Is it material, a career, the white picket fence? Or is it the way we feel, the way we connect and how much love we live and share?

332. A life of purpose commitment and understanding of people with a joy, vitality and true zest for life you describe here is very beautiful Michael and comes with a depth way deeper than one can imagine in respect of the other way of living that leaves and begs the question am I in a cult. Refreshing real and very inspiring I know which life I choose to live and where the real cult is that is being lived as everyday life on earth.

333. Complete and utter contrast Michael. I recognise both lives, though with different flavours in the detail of the sold-out life, yet absolutely the same outcome.

334. It is clear that you are not and you have not been part of a cult in your life. Not in the present, not in the past. Yet, as you show, any account could be massaged into one if we try hard because this is what we choose/want to see/show. That fact tells us how slippery can the narrative waters be around cults and, therefore, how careful and responsible we have to be talking about them.

335. ‘Seeing the great domino effect my steadiness, respect and love for people can have with friends, family, colleagues and customers at work, makes my heart dance.’ We cannot underestimate the affect we have on others and to be steady, respectful and loving and inspire others to be the same is amazing.

336. I was asked this question once and my response was “What do you think?”. It’s a dead end question that you can’t really answer. My question put it all back in the hands of the asker and they had to consider it for themselves.

     1. Yes, I have responded in this way too when this question has been posed to me, also asking them to define their definition and meaning of a cult from their point of view.

337. Is cult just short for culture? If so then I can highly recommend the culture of Universal Medicine which is living in such a way that we are our own best medicine.

     1. This is amazing how the shortening of the word ‘culture’ into ‘cult’ changes it into a loaded and socially verbal weapon.

338. I loved reading this blog. The two lives you describe here are so very different, the first life described is a way of living that we can all aspire to. A life lived of purpose, of love and commitment. How could anyone say that is a cult?

339. There’s such a fullness to the first description, a richness and vibrancy that are simply divine, whereas the second example feels empty, deflated and utterly colourless. The first one feels very much alive and responsive, whereas the second one feels repetitious and drab. Michael you make me eager to embrace the first one and to totally renounce the second!

340. The sharp contrast is great, it clearly shows how we can live and the outcomes that ensue. The final lines say it all … do we live with purpose and soul or without.

     1. “Do we live with purpose and soul or without?” and that says it all really, as to live without is a ‘soul-less’ existence, which is why it feels so utterly empty, because our soul is the lions share of who we are and so to live without our connection to our soul begs the question ‘who are we left being?’

     2. I agree Monica, it is a huge contrast. Life number two is sadly the norm and not many people are willing to question this way of life. We can see very clearly this way of life is not working when we look around us, people are getting very sick, they look lifeless, sad, angry and even depressed. I see people dragging their feet along life number two, moving in a way that conforms to this norm that drains and sucks the life out of us but society is not questioning this. It feels like a given up way of living, whereas life number one is the complete opposite, it shines the light of love onto every aspect of life. It is full of purpose, vitality and fun. There is joy in people’s movements and faces when they choose life number one. So, why would we not choose life number one?

341. Michael the differences between the two different ways of living were striking and I felt almost suffocated by the feeling of imposition in the second example. And as a characteristic of being in a cult is that it imposes it’s ‘values’ on it’s members then it’s evident which of the two examples is more in keeping with a cult, which is in itself, a huge concern, because your second description describes life as we know it in the Western world.

342. In a world where so many of us blindly follow the crowd and where fitting-in and conforming are the safest and easiest route, in a world where most live with such a deep irresponsibility and lack of accountability, in a world where we happily turn a blind eye to the abuse, corruption, inequality and devastation that is all around us, in a world where extreme poverty and war abounds despite the repeated lessons that are indelibly etched in our history books, in a world where we gladly point a finger but refuse to look in the mirror….it is always going to be more ‘comfortable’ to live #2. Choosing to live #1 is choosing to see all of the above. That is going to hurt. That takes courage. That needs support and love.

     1. Beautifully said Otto. The comfort of comfort, a most insidious cocoon of totally false ‘safety’.

     2. And I have done a heap of this. Every single one of us is a different piece of the jigsaw so there is no one-rule-for-all. Recently I have been re-exploring some of my food choices that I had made in the ‘blind following’ way that we are describing. Any ideal or belief or choice that we enforce on our body, without honouring what it may be, or may not be, communicating to us is an abuse on our body and will result in disarray and eventually illness or disease.

343. A great blog Michael. I could add pages and pages to #2, as it is absolutely what I was living – but there was always a part of me (that switched on and off for various lengths and at various intervals) that knew that #2 wasn’t it – and I truly feel that this is the same for so many, almost all, of those that are living #2. I can see it and feel it in them – they know. Thank God, thank Serge Benhayon and thank me for finding Universal Medicine; a religion, a way of life and a loving, guiding hand of brotherhood that has shown me #1.

     1. Great point Otto. I’m sure we could all add pages to #2, which exemplifies the point that the cult of individuality holds many forms and flavours, yet is obedient to the exact same consciousness.

        1. And because it holds so many different forms and flavours it subtly grips its followers under the illusion that they are not in a cult because they are each so ‘individual’ – none seeing that in fact, as you say, they are all shackled to the exact same consciousness.

344. Accusing someone of being in a cult is meant as a dismissal and an insult. It is designed to silence. It is not respectful of the choices someone is making for themselves. It is born out of fear.

345. I know this blog is one that will be a joy to come back and read many times. There is no question about life number 1 and the joyful commitment needed to develop, grow and evolve into this way of being… why would we consider anything else when the only other option is number 2?

346. Universal Medicine is so unlike a cult. The defining factor of a cult is that one adheres to the rules and conventions of the group. Universal Medicine has no rules or conventions, other than the request to discern for oneself what is true and appropriate, if that is a rule or convention.

347. Great article! ‘Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success’. I felt how revealing it is that humanity can promote a way of living that is clearly not supporting people to live healthy, vital and joyful lives; yet dismiss or react and judge any commitment expressed by others to choose to live differently by taking responsibility to self-care and self-nurture and to honestly feel the impact on their bodies and on other people, of their emotions and reactions. It feels that we resist any reflection to be more truly loving to ourselves and others if any of our perceived ‘comforts’ or familiar ways of living are threatened. Our patterns of behaviour are so ingrained and familiar that to honestly feel how our emotions and reactions prevent us from living amazing lives can be challenging. This article presents the simplicity of choosing to bring ‘fun, humour and wisdom’ into every day.

348. And the end of the day we always conform to something, whether it be the behaviours, attitudes and language of our societies, institutions, friends, colleagues and family, or the energy of our heart and soul. Funny how conforming to the latter is considered a cult, when the former clearly keeps us trapped in choices that do not serve our real purpose or evolution.

349. “Am I in a cult”? – a life lived with love always exposes full stop to reveal the answer to anything in life, about life. Love is the grandest quality and standard to live with.

350. Yes, Michael. Applying the word cult to Universal Medicine is a smoke screen to obscure the level of responsibility, truth and pure love that is being reflected to those who are unwilling to live beyond the imprisonment of self.

351. Michael what most inspires me of your sharing is that it comes from your own experience and not from an imposed idea or belief. I can feel clearly that you are living the life Number One and everyone around you is being blessed for having such an empowered young man who is not afraid of showing his tenderness, super cool.

352. Knowing what I know now or always have known but chosen not to be aware, I cannot now un-know it and I certainly would not go back to life two for all the tea in China, even though I am conscious that I haven’t left two totally behind yet.

353. Recently I had the following conversation with myself ‘Do you have the life that you want to live? Absolutely yes. Does this life includes Universal Medicine? Yes it does, as after every course, workshop and presentation I feel more empowered and present in my body, more solid, commited to life, more appreciative and open with myself and others, more inspired, joyful…and then I bring all of this to my work, to my family, to my friends…so am I in a cult? Clearly not.’

354. Thank you Michael for putting in to words the two different ways to live. We think we are individual with our choices but after reading this, I see how we are really just choosing from one pool of thousands of pictures and ideas of how we can live life no. 2. It might look unique but anything where we are living just for ourselves and not considering how we affect humanity, is all the same flavour. And the life no. 2 doesn’t see itself as a cult because most are living this way and it is seen as normal.

355. I feel that the word ‘cult’ is a judgement based on fear.

     We are only ever a moment away from making a choice; and that choice is dependent on our momentum: our lived-life; our ideals and beliefs as of that moment in time.

     We should appreciate that our lived-lives and courageous choices are changing our momenta towards Michael’s ‘Life One’; and also to appreciate the opportunities we have each day to help others detach from their dependency on their own Life Twos, for they are currently walking paths we have previously trod in past lives.

356. A ‘cult’ is where people blindly follow one person… Life 1 is a life of truth, integrity, honesty and transparency, following your soul which is innate within every one of us equally – there is nothing blind, and everything universal about life 1.

357. How many of us live a life where we are trying to fit in and be the same as everyone else at the expense of living what is true for ourselves?

358. I was very miserable in life 2, needing to numb myself with alcohol and exercise to block out feeling the reality of how I was living. I had loads of friends but little or no true connection with anyone. I didn’t love myself, I didn’t know what it felt like to love myself, I do now, it’s incredibly beautiful and the foundation to all of my relationships today, I love life 1.

     1. Yet the misery is often veiled by relief and reward, one can see the true extent of the misery only when the investment and attachment have been severed.

359. One life is all about the joy in living each day in the fullness of who we are, openly sharing ourselves and always considering everyone in everything, the other is all about the individual and what we can gain for ourselves out of life, as though life owes us something. One is all about sharing, the other, all about taking. They feel very different and it’s a no brainer for me as to how I would rather live, it’s one all the way.

360. What is so clear to feel in these two lives is that life 1 is full of joy, harmony and freedom of living with humanity… compared to life 2 which is self-absorbed, feels flat, empty, purposeless and totally disharmonious – really its a no brainer which one to choose.

361. The word cult is intended to label, isolate and intimidate… but it didn’t work here Michael – well done claiming the truth of a life lived true to your soul… one that is so worthwhile when we are willing to go there.

     1. So true Paula and that was what I was feeling this morning reading this – the purpose of the word itself being to play on the connotations it holds.

362. Wow Michael, I so enjoyed reading that. What a great way to expose the truth and get one questioning who’s really in a cult.

     1. Yes Kim, a great question to ask having read life 1 and life 2… who’s really in a cult?..

363. I have lived my own versions of both and I know that if I continued living Life Number 2 I would have succumbed to a serious illness and/or seriously considered taking my own life such was the despair of knowing there must be another way/more to life but not finding the true way.

     1. Yes, I can’t imagine where I would be right now had I not found that there is another way to be in this world, there was such a large part of me that knew the life I was living was not true and yet I didn’t know why. My version of Life Number 2 was completely exhausting and left me feeling empty and alone.

     2. Yes, Sarah. Version No. 2 does not bode well for anyone in terms of long term misery, isolation and illness. How long will it take for us to agree that love for ourselves and others is the best medicine in life?

     3. I do not think I would have taken my life if I had continued living my version of life number 2, though I have no doubt I would have ended up seriously ill, most likely hugely in debt, reliant on the state for support and extremely unhappy. I feel so blessed to have met Serge, recognised the truth he presents and chose to address the way I was living.

364. Thanks for the very real description of the two different lives Michael – I know which one I am enjoying more too…

365. Labelling someone as being in a cult, without truly looking at how they live, is simply a way of writing off someone. Whenever you write a person off you are not holding their best intentions at heart.

     1. I agree Henrietta. In most cases when people are labelled or judged without real proof, it is simply because someone said something and the media made it bigger…when people speak from this unconscious way, they are not really aware how damaging their words can be, especially when they have no a true foundation.

     2. It’s much more than writing someone off. It writes off and dismisses everything about the person. With the one word, it knocks everything out.

     3. I agree Henrietta it is a total dismissal of someone, and refusal to want to know anything outside ones own ‘comforts’ of the 2nd life.

366. Love it Michael – so clearly laid out with each life lived, and I love your appreciation of how your life has changed and indeed holds so much more purpose and joy an delivery!

367. Finding our feet as in scenario 1 can be likened to being a cat with 9 lives as so much more love is assessable, and no matter what happens if we stay connected to our inner-most our feet always end up in a true place so we can evolve.

368. Brilliant Michael, shared from the absolute truth you know and we equally do, when we are ready to live it so. It captures the sharpness of what we know to be true and also the unsharpness that we have allowed/lived. But thank you, as you bring out so clearly what the two different results are.

369. This is such a gorgeous piece of writing Michael. I love the way you express – so simply and with such authority but not overlooking the playfulness of life and our part in it. There is much here for us all to chew on. Thanks for the morning cud 😉

370. When someone asks the question are you in a cult? You can feel how loaded this question is. Once a friend of mine asked me this question. I took a moment to feel what has been expressed and then I ask them, what is your understanding of a cult, what do you mean by the word cult? When I ask them this question, it was interesting to hear their response, because the answer was ‘I don’t know’, and then our conversation continued with a lot more openness because of their honesty.

371. Thanks Michael I love your description of Life Number 1.

372. I think it’s great to question the use of the word ‘cult’. It is closely linked with culture, both having the same Latin root and to me this signifies how it can refer to a common perspective or outlook on life, principles or values. Undoubtedly there have been groups of people with very damaging beliefs and ideals that I think in the main are associated with the word cult which consequently conjures up suspicion or negative aspersions when this word is used against others even if there may be nothing to be suspicious about. We could say we’re all in a cult of one kind or another – the key being what kind of cult we are in…

373. I stand with you Michael in the sense that I would far rather a life of richness and warmth where I am truly committed to living from the depth of my being without perfection and therefore more engaged with life and living it, over one where I have to struggle to commit to the hum drudgery of the lacklustre (void of divinity) daily existence I have taken on as the norm. The latter is what happens when we forsake who we truly are and sign up to live something so much less than this – a god de-throned by his/her own hand. Something every single one of us has experienced or is still experiencing in our lives.

374. It’s a no brainier when you see it written in black in white, the fact we willingly choose the later is quite something.

     1. Super well said Vanessa! A no brainer and one that exposes our choices in life in black and white.

     2. Yes, when so clearly described, it seems ludicrous that anyone would choose life number 2, yet the illusion is strong and is not dispelled until one experiences an alternative – and that is what Universal Medicine offers.

     3. Isn’t it – it goes to show how far we are from choosing true purpose in life.

     4. What is so striking about seeing it written in such black and white clarity is that it is hard to imagine anyone not choosing #1. Which makes me realise that we have to be very humble and understanding in appreciating where we have come from, the patterns we are in, the way the world puppets us and the extreme pressures and forces that keep us aligned to #2. With that humility and transparency, we can love ourselves and others back to our truths. With judgement and self-bashing, no matter how oft we see the glory of #1, we will always revert back to #2.

     5. It’s a total no brainer and really makes you look at why we not only choose the latter, but why we can go out of our way to avoid the former and try to bring down people who live Life Number 1.

375. The cult of normalcy, self, ambition and drive sells a picture of success that is heavily based on materialia and the outer trappings of a kind of richness that is supposed to provide security.

     1. We are rich in ways we cannot fathom if we have our eyes firmly set on the goal post and the prize box that will only ever deliver fools gold and not an ounce of the real thing. Our true wealth is our true self that is found deep within, the moment we awaken from our slumber. I would far rather be awake and penniless, than engorged on the spoils of a banquet that have put me into the drowsy haze of a sleep I do not even know I am in.

        1. “I would far rather be awake and penniless, than engorged on the spoils of a banquet that have put me into the drowsy haze of a sleep I do not even know I am in.” Entry for a Liane Saying’s Book?

376. “In fact, the ideal, dreamt of scenario is to win the lottery, settle down with a good looking wife, a couple of kids perhaps, nice friends, a big house and fast cars where I don’t have to worry about anything and don’t even have to work anymore.” This I’m sure is a commonly dreamt ideal and something many work towards. It’s the reward for life. Yet is it truly rewarding? Life number one seems to hold a lot more fulfilment.

377. I used to live – exist – in “Life Number 2” convinced that this was all that there was to life. Everyday was a constant struggle with very little joy and not a lot of looking forward to tomorrow. These days I live – truly live – in “Life Number 1” and I am loving every moment of it. I look forward to every day and know that I have only touched the surface of how glorious this life can be.

378. Having experienced a similar life no.2 and now living more the life no.1. I wouldn’t trade it now to be ‘normal’.

     1. True Leigh – it is ‘nothing’ normal about life no. 2, yet it seen as a norm in our society.

     2. I drunk the Kool Aid of Life #2 for a large part of my life, and there are still traces of this life with me now, as it takes time to see and expose everything and all the patterns. But, without perfection, I too am a signed-up member of Life#1 and there is no nothing that you could offer me that would tempt me back to my old ways.

        1. I found myself recently slipping back into those old ways but this time the disturbance in my body and relationships around me – awful! My blessing has been my sensitivity and the understanding that I need not keep going into that spiral and to ask why it was tempting in the first place.

        2. Honesty is so crucial here. What is truly impulsing our movements? What are we aligned to? What are we invested in? What pictures, expectations or hopes do we have? If we are honest then the games are exposed, but if we lie then they become covered in a layer of toxic, clawing sludge and then everything becomes increasingly harder to read, see and move out of. I don’t always find this level of honesty easy and sometimes another quick lie can be very tempting.

     3. Leigh great call, like you nothing could make me trade in the old way I was living, what I’ve built up for myself with the love and support of Universal Medicine is incredible.

379. Calling Universal Medicine and people who live our lives with purpose and dedication as a cult is no different from the witch hunt days gone by. It is designed to shut people up or scare people away because it exposes the lack of commitment in how others live.

380. The world is upside down when you are being accused of being in a cult when you are making your life about health, wellbeing, love and brotherhood.

     1. Yes, there is a ridiculousness in an accusation of associating love, wellbeing and brotherhood as a cult

        1. Maybe it has something to do with the fed thought that it is ‘too good to be true’, ie the need to make it out to be evil less the truth/true way of life be known.

381. If we make the word cult about a way of life, as some have done when it concerns Universal Medicine, then are we not all in one cult or another? Which one is your favourite? Are you in the cult of wine lovers, vegans, soap-watchers, every night on the couch to watch TV, sport fanatics, food lovers, movie lovers, computergames, and so and so on? Or are you in the cult of moderation and average, a little bit of all of the above, not standing out in any way?
     The truth here is that we have much less, if any, true free choice then we think. We are all influenced by our surroundings and simply take our pick from what’s on offer. And here is where Universal Medicine differs from all others, it doesn’t offer a new flavour to pick but it offers us the way back to true free choice.

     1. A very poignant comment you have made here Carolien if we break down the word cult and look at all our behaviours and lifestyle choices. I feel this is just a tactic to focus on something else rather that the absolutely truly Amazing work Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine do .. lets shine a light on this instead for all to be inspired by and bring it back to the true truth ✨

        1. If the truth is presented to those who do not want the truth then anything goes to bring it down. We have seen it time and time again in history and this is no different. For this to happen to people who choose love, purpose and brotherhood over creation lies have to be made up and in this day the word cult seems to do the trick for some.We cannot be jailed or beheaded but we can be ostracised and tainted trough social media as no truth is wanted there, just the juice in the story will make it spread across the world, no proof asked or sought.

382. Great point Michael, the word cult can be used to attack, defame and illegitimise something. In this case truth. I was in the cult of me before coming to Universal Medicine.

383. “Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success.”- I have to agree with this definition of a cult, Michael, and am feeling now how if that is correct then one could actually define most of our culture at large as one big cult. So much of what our current society preaches as the ‘normal’ way of life is based on only obtaining security for ‘me and mine’ via school, a good job, materialistic putsuits, etc.

384. I have known you in both instances, Michael and where you are today shows up the lies spilled all over the internet about Universal Medicine.

385. Love the clear comprehensive account of the two qualities of life and leaving the reader to sense the difference for themselves. No wonder the press have been picking, twisting and embellishing odd points so that they can make it all become sensational, otherwise the truth of the situation speaks loudly for itself.

386. The word ‘cult’ is so loaded no one likes to be told they are involved in one. Universal Medicine is the very organization that has brought back the true meaning of the word ‘religion’ – labeling them a cult is one of the most heinous acts instigated by a handful of human beings, designed to put off their fellow brothers from the very thing that they need at this time in human history.

387. Brilliant rebuttal of the ridiculous assertions that seek to label an organisation that is all about empowering others to live a purposeful and joy filled life as a cult. Nothing could be further from the truth and yet the other life you describe has more cult like activities contained within it because of societal pressure to fit in and not rock the boat – something that cult leaders rely on when they try and get people to blindly follow them, whereas Serge Benhayon, whilst working with the utmost integrity, always encourages everyone to read situations and feel for themselves what is true for them.

388. My life has changed big time over the past decade or so, and I am maybe in camp one more than two but I was in two for a very long time and if it wasn’t for Universal Medicine I still would be.

389. The incessant pictures that we have of life goes to extremes I would have never imagined if I did not open my eyes to see them.

390. This cult conversation is much needed. The word is thrown around as a label because it arouses suspicion and fear. It’s deliberately used to make people freak out about Universal Medicine. But people aren’t stupid or fooled by words, and the proof is in the way people live: do they walk their talk? Do they live their values to the best of their ability?
     Universal Medicine promotes listening to and honouring one’s inner knowing, our connection with the wider world, humanity, the Universe, and so living in a loving way that makes life about everyone. Obviously one doesn’t have to do universal medicine events and courses to access their own inner knowing, as we all have equal access to that- but what universal medicine offers is access to an incredible and unparalled volume of practical wisdom, support, and people committed to living a level of integrity, that – despite an extensive global investigation – I am yet to come across anywhere else.

391. There are many different ways to live a life, with each and every way having a unique impact on our bodies and each other.

392. Brilliant and very clear blog. Why do we allow words to hold so much power over us such as cult? I considered this last week when I was speaking with a young person about this and we were breaking down what the word ‘frigid’ means to her. What I see here is how we are quick to point at others and use certain words but not take steps back and see the bigger and true picture as you have done here. Many would think life number two might be normal and not question it at all (or even think to question it) but maybe that is why the world is where is currently is today … because none of us are taking steps back and truly questioning how we are living.

393. Life number 1 is an open armed school of life; inspired by an awareness of health, vitality, people & relationships;
     Life number 2 is a self orientated continuum; an existence
     It is only though the eyes of Life No1 that we realise how blind we have been in Life No2 to the true depth of love and opportunities that abound.

394. Love it, Michael, to see you as the beautiful, tender young man that you are now and celebrating that you have been able to choose Life Number 1 and your commitment and purpose leading to a contribution on a global scale.

395. The word cult can, and often does, instil fear and dread in the reader. This is why the term is used, it almost always stirs up reaction and a desire to protect ourselves so we no longer have a healthy curiosity about an organisation but a tendency to dismiss it out of hand. I would suggest that those who dismiss Universal Medicine are doing themselves a great disservice, a great injustice even. I have seen too many lives turned around and experienced first hand what profound changes are possible when in relationship with the Ageless Wisdom we choose to LIVE life to the full and commit to ourselves and Humanity equally so.

396. The word cult is an easy word to use when not wanting to understand the choices someone is making. The choices may not be the ‘norm’, so we may not have had exposure to this. However this does not mean that someone is part of a cult. It is a low blow to create doubt, innuendo and rumour on the life of another, simply because we do not wish to understand.

397. Maybe neither way of life is a cult for this word has been created to instil fear, suspicion and division between us. We are one humanity who have let our beliefs divide us. To give the current meaning of the word ‘cult’ any credence or validation is surely perpetuating this division.

398. ” Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success. ”
     From this understanding life number two would be the answer . Being in a cult is giving ones power away. In life number one you are not doing this , you are empowering yourself and your way of living,

399. Well, if the former life is about being in a cult then I am all in – a no-brainer really!

400. If number one is a cult then sign me up because number two seems like the waste of time, waste of money and unhealthy option.

401. But the truth isn’t going anywhere, it is here to stay and to shine more and more brightly as more people are re-connecting to the wisdom they hold within themselves and choosing this as their compass to lead them through life, rather than the false ideals and beliefs that we have given in to for way too long.

402. Brilliant blog, Michael. I love the way you expose a common occurrence in our society, that when something deeply challenges us, we attack it, try to bring it down, ridicule it in the hope that it will go away and leave us alone. The reflection from someone choosing to live their truth, in life 1, is confronting for anyone who isn’t choosing to live this way, it creates a tension as the truth is felt, but if the person isn’t wanting to change the way they are living, they resist and sometimes attack what is being offered to them.

403. Great exposé, Michael, of the fact that when we subscribe to things that are loveless and untrue and sell out to obtain greater status or superficial gains, this is like handing ourselves over to a cult. It becomes so obvious then, that Universal Medicine is exactly the opposite of a cult, because it is simply about re-connecting to our own soul, and rekindling the love already there within us.

404. I love your exposé of both ways of living, Michael. There is no contender when expressed this way and you write the perfect answer to ‘Am I in a cult?’

405. Brilliant exposé Michael! There is no doubt that the biggest cult by far is the cult of individuality. To sustain its lie we have to sell out to things that do not truly evolve anyone. For me, my subscription to this cult looked mostly of hiding myself away from everyone and living in my own cave of comfort and safety. It is a completely pointless way of living with the only purpose of bettering oneself. Not to mention feeling like there is this unsatisfiable thirst to feel fulfilled within.

406. In my opinion it is impossible to be in a cult when living Life Number 1 as life is based on living in connection to self. Every movement is lived from this connection in relationship to self and to everything and everyone around it.

407. To me when I hear the word cult I think of people following someone or something. So in this category I can put Sport, Music, Entertainment, such as a film or TV series which can become very popular. In fact a TV series that became very popular worldwide was said to have a ‘cult’ following. So to me the word can be turned into anything you want it to be.

408. A great and very clear blog. It’s a no brainer for me.

409. Great blog Michael – it is inspiring to read this very clear description of two very different ways of living from your personal lived experience. What an amazing turnaround from caring only for the individual (me, myself and I) to living being aware of the bigger picture, that encompasses all, equally-so with the warmth of love from your inner connection.

410. Great way to answer the question Michael. So often the term ‘cult’ is used to isolate people and or make them react – you have done the opposite and stood in your truth showing what it simply means to live the light and love of your Soul, great sharing.

411. In Life Number Two, possibly every single one of us at some point in our lives has been fooled by the glamour and security thinking this was what life was about but the sheer emptiness I have felt from living a life in such a way has been enough to make a call to change my ways knowing there was more to life than the reflection that was being lived around me.

412. I like that you simply describe two ways of living instead of throwing out a word to stigmatise one or the other. It is always the living way that counts and tells the truth never just a word or the outer appearance.

413. An obvious choice Michael, the way of the soul wins hands down for those that choose to live it.

414. Your piece about the ‘me me’ culture is so ‘normal’ that no-one living that lifestyle would consider themselves to be in a cult. Thus anything that is outside that remit ( and is all about love, humanity and service) gets labelled as such. Strange world we live in.

415. What a contrast Michael and thank goodness you have been able to extricate your self from the cult of modern day life and reclaim your self, your heart and your connection to your very wise, playful and loving Soul. The joy and truth you bring to the world graces us all.

416. A great expose of two different lifestyles – Like a before and after my introduction to Universal Medicine. I know which one I choose too…

417. When we use a label to identify a group of people we no longer meet them as who they are.

     1. So true Mary. It comes with such judgement when a label is applied to a group or person, and it is the judgement that closes people off not so much the word or label we apply. The energy of judgement is very destructive and causes separation between people.

418. Great to re ask this question at the end of this blog in this way and ponder again which of the two lives it suits the most. I have made a choice between two lives very similar to those described and there is no way I would return to the life of disregard over that of true care and love.

419. Brilliant Michael – when you put down in black and white the way we currently live it truly is absurd and certainly doesn’t add up. Thanks for bringing your brilliance with maths to the equation of life.

420. I can’t help but feel that the second way of life is quite miserable and flat even though we can be so in the illusion we have got it all but when we need all that outer stimulation to keep going and to feel satisfied we have to ask ourselves what are we truly choosing and is this actually our natural way of living or are we being fooled?

     1. I feel a lot of it comes down to pride. We have chosen to leave ourselves to follow a dream that we’ve been sold and bought into – we have worked very hard to accumulate what we have, yet, it isn’t bringing us the joy we ‘thought’ it would. But to admit that we’ve been sold a lie and realise we’ve been wrong all along is a big step for many of us to take. Until we’re willing to be open to this fact, we stay trapped in our world of false beliefs, illusion, exhaustion, living a life that is very far removed from the exquisite beauty, and wisdom of who we truly are.

421. I can see comedy skit related to your blog, where one points the finger saying ” You are in a ‘cult’! ” when this said one is saying it from the midst of their ‘cult’… So much is loaded on this word, but when you look at the whole way we live in society, there are so many things people are ‘in’ to… we could All be in one, in one way or another… be it a sports (soccer, basketball or Aussie rules) ‘follower’, a ‘foodie’ (vegetarian, vegan, fast food, clean eating type) or religion choice. The hysteria, alarm, sensation and aghast that surfaces around this loaded word says more about the one pointing the finger than actually letting someone get on with their life.

422. Wow Michael I am stopped in my tracks by your statement of how we can go against our heart and our soul and think that we are not owned by what we have identified with. It is so true that we have tricked ourselves into thinking that is what we really want, when in reality it is what we have chosen to hide the fact that we are not really living who we truly are.

423. Selling out to the security and comfort of inertia and quasi-paralysis is the lollypop, the dangling carrot for the cult of normality, with all its bells and whistles: energy drinks, drugs, stress, alcohol and lashings of cream.

424. Bit of a no-brainer for me. I have lived both lives, my drug or drugs of choice would have been different perhaps, but same hooks, same needs, same insecurities, exhaustion and need for stimulants. How bizarre is it that casting a stone, mocking and belittling is easier than simply walking away or choosing the 2nd option.

425. When you write it like this Michael, it’s ridiculous that Life 1 could be seen as one living in a cult. Plain ridiculous.

426. Thank you Michael for your heartfelt and astute blog. It is certainly very easy to guess which life you are enjoying more, and which any sane person would enjoy. There is no question that one of these two life templates is far more fun, more loving, less harming, more evolving. In fact Life number two is more than ridiculous. What is so interesting is that when thoroughly ensconced in life number two it seems impossible to realise how ridiculous it is. And if someone in this life number two glimpses something of real quality going on with others they can get threatened. And when someone in life number two gets threatened they lash out verbally or physically at Life number one and yell ‘Squash it squash it’ because the pain of the way they living themselves is too much to bear. What a pernicious consciousness we have all fallen for at some stage or another! What is possible now is that each one of us will rise up out of this crazy battle-field and back to the glorious beings we originally were.

427. The current way the world works with all the glamour, illusion, vulgarity and abuse , is the really big cult, whereby people are choosing by the masses to living life of a much lessor quality than is possible. This lack of quality by going along with the pack or current trends, is then reflected by the health / true vitality of the masses as well as the society that still has all the trappings or issues of the past, hence not evolving to the quality of life that we all deserve, if of course we can come to our senses to make better choices.

428. The contrast in Life One and Life Two is huge. ‘Being in a cult means selling out my heart and Soul in return for a completely false sense of security and glamourised success.’ I feel this applies to a massive majority of humanity.

429. Great article Michael, there are so many versions of life #2 that we have all lived. Life #2 comes with all manner of conditions and requirements from other about what you need to do to fit in and do to succeed.

     Life #1 can be slight different between people as we all have our own expression but the purpose, joy and service remain.

     1. So true Joel, and this is probably why we like life #1 as it gives us so many options to choose from that it makes life #2 seem boring. Yet life #1 needs a constant ‘refill’ so to speak whereas life #2 is full by itself.

430. Cult is a sticky word and it can blind people when they hear it, but it does not have to be that way! Universal Medicine is a gift to the world, not a cult, people such as me are living full lives in communities with a love for people through its beautiful inspiration.

     1. Universal Medicine sure is a gift to the world, one which is very much needed. We have called for and asked for it so now it is up to us to embrace what is on offer and bring it out to others so they too can receive the full blessings of the gift we have.

     2. Cult is a very ostracising word to call someone, it’s immediately singling them out and separating them from the rest of society. Yet, as you share, Samantha, the Universal Medicine workshops that I have attended remind me of who I truly am and our innate way of being together which is all about brotherhood, connection, love and being open and honest with each other. They are open to everyone and anyone and never presume to ‘tell’ anyone what they should or shouldn’t do as we all have free will to choose for ourselves how we want to live in this life.

431. I enjoyed going over this as my bedtime read. Reminds me of my purpose both in sleep and in the next day.

     1. Loved this. Written so clearly Michael thank you… it was reminding me too of why I am here.

432. Brilliant answer to a question that is often designed to silence someone before they have a chance to respond.

     1. Good point Leonie. When asked if you are in a cult – where can you go with that? It’s never really a question nor is someone genuinely asking about you. If they were, the question would probably be phrased differently. It’s more of an accusation.

        1. Clever set up isn’t it, those who are still in the cult accusing those who have managed to extricate themselves from the cult of being in a cult!

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