ANYTHING can be turned into a cult. Lululemon. Kundalini Yoga. Teal Swan on YouTube. Millions of people around the world buy Osho books and quote this known cult leader all over the internet — Osho is the pen name of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Mastery In Transformational Training aka Lifespring is a cult with several outstanding lawsuits that has driven people to suicide, locking them up in rooms deprived of food, water, told not to go to the bathroom, and told that enduring this would be proof of their strength. Men instructed to cross-dress to face their fears of emasculation and humiliation, people told to scream until their voices were hoarse, forced to stay and do this until 7 AM even if people had to take their kids to school or go to work.
Spiritual discernment is a skill to develop that will alert you to when something is cult-like. A friend offered to pay for Mastery In Transformational Training for my birthday and invited me to an event to check it out. I knew immediately. A senior finance manager my ex knew from work invited him and he got sucked in right away. We had to fight them like hell to get him out. The difference? Probably because I've been trained by Tibetan meditation teachers, a Chinese Qigong master, Central, South American, and Hawaiian shamans, for nearly two decades of my life (18 years and going) — I realized that those wackos were nothing like my teachers.
“There is a saying in the Tibetan scriptures: 'Knowledge must be burned, hammered, and beaten like pure gold. Then one can wear it as an ornament.' So when you receive spiritual instruction from the hands of another, you do not take it uncritically, but you burn it, you hammer it, you beat it, until the bright, dignified color of gold appears. Then you craft it into an ornament, whatever design you like, and you put it on.”
“No matter what the practice or teaching, ego loves to wait in ambush to appropriate spirituality for its own survival and gain.”
― Chögyam Trungpa, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism
Chögyam Trungpa, like some other Buddhist spiritual leaders, has faced serious allegations regarding sexual abuse and abuse of power. This raises valid concerns about the dynamics of devotion to a teacher and how it can sometimes resemble the loyalty seen in cult-like environments. @mysticalheretic
The core teachings of Buddhism contain much wisdom and value. Yet, it's disheartening to see individuals with troubling pasts being held up as figures of respect. It's particularly poignant that Trungpa is referenced in discussions about cults, especially in relation to fostering an environment of unquestioning devotion.
The main logical fallacy here is hasty generalization—taking specific cases of abuse within Buddhism and using them to imply a fundamental issue with devotion to teachers in Buddhist traditions. Secondly, confirmation bias—you are countering with confirmation bias by selectively focusing on abusive Buddhist figures while ignoring the broader context of abuse in other institutions. Lastly, guilt by association— arguing that because some Buddhist leaders have engaged in misconduct, the tradition itself fosters cult-like behavior.
I completely understand why concerns about abuse in spiritual communities need to be taken seriously. Any form of abuse—whether in religious institutions, academia, or politics—is unacceptable and must be addressed transparently.
However, the presence of abuse within Buddhist communities does not mean that Buddhism inherently fosters abusive dynamics. The same could be said about any institution where power is involved—governments, corporations, or even families. The issue isn't unique to Buddhism but rather a human issue involving power imbalances.
If we were to judge an entire tradition based on the misdeeds of some leaders, then by that logic, we would have to dismiss academia because of predatory professors, democracy because of corrupt politicians, or even psychotherapy because of unethical therapists. Instead of throwing out entire systems, we should be investigating power structures and accountability mechanisms within them.
Regarding devotion to a teacher, it's important to differentiate between healthy reverence and blind obedience. Buddhism, especially in its more contemplative traditions, emphasizes discernment and personal inquiry. The idea that all Buddhist teachings encourage 'unquestioning devotion' seems to conflate a nuanced relationship with a simplistic cult-like mentality. Have you considered that many students engage critically with their teachers rather than surrendering autonomy?
One of the most overlooked aspects of abuse within hierarchical structures—whether in spiritual communities, workplaces, families, or governments—is the role of betrayal bonding. This is a deeply ingrained psychological response where victims form loyalty to an abuser due to cycles of power, control, and intermittent reinforcement. Instead of framing this as an issue exclusive to Buddhism or any single tradition, we need broader awareness of how betrayal bonding impacts human relationships across all areas of life. Focusing on this dynamic allows for a more constructive discussion about psychological resilience, personal autonomy, and the structures that enable abuse—rather than placing blame solely on specific institutions while ignoring the larger patterns of human behavior. Meaningful and substantial change can only happen by addressing the root cause of the issue.
The mutual understanding here is that power should be held accountable and that abuse must be addressed. The real conversation should be about ethical leadership, proper checks and balances, and empowering individuals to make informed choices—rather than assuming point blank that devotion in Buddhism always leads to harmful dynamics.
Thank you for taking the time to offer a thoughtful response. I am a survivor, so abuses in religious, spiritual settings, or institutional settings can be upsetting to me. I don't have time to provide a lengthy response right now. I'll certainly consider what you've said here. Exploitation and power dynamics that is an area of interest to me. I like Stephen Hassan’s work on cults. Human Design does seem to have some culty aspects. I'm going to need to give this more thought and consideration.
I am not a survivor myself, thankfully never had to unravel spiritual dogma. But I have soul walked with many women who have emerged from that. My spidey senses are high on New Age stuff much of which is cult like. I do agree with Emma that there are a lot of pieces of wisdom in Buddhism, as there are in the Abrahamic and other organized religions when you dive into the mystical teachings. But really all organized religions took over previous animistic and indigenous spiritual practices and so were rooted in control in some way. You can love the teachings and not get involved in the organizations or fully commit to any of them. I am an Omnist/Animist at heart, so I study them all, both the wisdom and the history. But each and every one of these including Buddhism has a hierarchal structure and I don't do hierarchy. And has not historically been kind to women either and elevating them to the highest levels. Certainly that is not true in all cases in modern times but it is still part of its roots. And what I say to those who say don't blame the teachings blame the teacher. I don't buy that, and it is a cop out for a lot of these issues that have arisen all over the spiritual spectrum. My response is, if the teachings and the structures (which were set up by the teachings to put people in a power dynamic) are so great then it should create great leaders who do not behave this way. Yes every one is human and makes mistakes. But I absolutely do hold so called leaders and the entire organizations they are a part of to a higher standard because they can really cause some damage.
Thank you for your thoughtful response, Dina. You have articulated the central dilemmas much better than I would. I'm not into hierarchy either. So, it’s probably why I cannot participate in organized religion or any kind of spiritual group as a follower. I still seek spiritual understanding, but I suppose I'm more of a hermit. I'm okay with that. I also have a family history of religious trauma where women were abused within a patriarchal structure for many generations — The Dutch Mennonite Church. I cannot condone that kind of behavior. I expect more ethical conduct from religious or spiritual teachers.
Sending you lots of love. I get where you are coming from. I tend to hang out in some spiritual communities but they are non-hierarchal and rooted in sisterhood, wisdom council circles where we all share our wisdom and the Divine Feminine (in the divine feminine ways we do not have followers nor follow we are sovereign and learn how to deepen our sovereignty) but there are even some of those where power dynamics do happen. But overall the ones I have been involved in are not really rooted in spirituality in the common vernacular but more myth and soul based plus a lot of nature based work (hence the Animism). I thrive on community because I am not a hermit. So NOT. I need connection like air to breathe. But it does take a lot of work to find spaces that resonate and bring a sense of belonging and radical hospitality and that truly do remain non-hierarchical and strive to be synarchal.
Great piece, Chiara. As a student of astrology, when a friend introduced me to HD in 2019 I was super intrigued but also immediately put off by the amount of paywalling there was to access the info beyond profile, type, strategy, and authority. It seemed like these were things that had depth behind them, but in order to access the depth I had to pay the big bucks. I already had another system in Astro to fill my mind up with and experiment with in my life (for free), so I stopped my studies of HD as soon as I began.
Over time, curiosity got the best of me, but it was through the welcoming voices of Rudd, Parker, and many of the other ‘shamed outsiders’. I’ve started tentatively calling myself a HD guide because it’s the easiest way for people to understand what I’m writing/podcasting about, but it’s always felt a little… off.
I consider myself a student of the world, of history, and am a big fan of cultural synthesis. So beyond the high paywalls, what has always bothered me about classic ‘source’ HD is that there is rarely a reference by Ra and his devotees to the true source material (ie the i’ching or kaballah or the zodiac). I have asked so many questions that were answered fairly coldly with ‘because the voice said so’, and then did my own research and found the real, complex answer in ancient texts. That’s the thing that feels the most cultish to me- the lack of allowing for curiosity and discourse.
I love that finding HD has brought me to a deeper inquiry about all of these ancient wisdom traditions and a community of curious, alive people… and I am also happy that all this self reflection is rising to the top! ♥️♥️♥️
ahhh thank you for your kind comment Alison! Yes to investigating the true roots of this system and remaining curious. I was having this conversation the other day with somebody who was going deeper into the Kabbalah, and she was telling me "the channels we have defined are our pathway to god" or something similar and it spoke to me SO HARD. Also second you on how many amazing and interesting people I have met through this space, and I hope I articulated here this isn't the entire "truth," just a sliver based on my own experience in the community.
That's where my nose is taking me to. If HD is built on Astro, the Kabbalah, the iching etc. I want to learn those systems outside of HD and come to my own opinions.
I never could resonate with HD. Rudd and the Gene Keys on the other hand. Totally different vibe and for me a much deeper level of resonance and ability to do something tangible in my life as a result of the information. Besides the problematic culty vibe I get off HD, I have paid people for readings and it is like they are dribbling out information, not much more than I read in my profiles, and my sense is because they really didn't know anything more than that and really couldn't make it personal. For me, I deep dive into my Gene Keys on my own and with some of Richards transmissions (the new Star Pearl is really integrative) but its inner work. For readings from people outside of myself I work with the wise women who don't have huge names and are oracles in the ancient ways. They don't have organizations and hierarchies.
Love this. Balanced, researched, thought-provoking. I sit happily in the middle, taking what makes sense, experimenting while respecting my self identity, maintaining an open mind. HD is brilliant, and not my deity. Guess I’d be in the rebel group! Thanks for writing such a great article.
I just want to thank you for writing a piece that describes exactly how I have been feeling about HD over the past few years. I stumbled across HD through Emma Dunwoody - who is another who would be described as “non-purist” - and I truly resonated with a lot of what she shared. To be able to come to peace with myself with all the interests I have and starting stuff but rarely finishing anything, because I was off exploring another interest, was a huge relief… I identified with a Manifesting Generator through and through. What started out as fun and interesting became dogmatic and I had to step back and look at it for what it was (for me). Which is exactly what you have described here. My thoughts on HD have changed and I’m no longer looking at it as all truth for me, so as a MG I’m off exploring other things!
oh yes Emma Dunwoody was definitely another person on the “pop HD shamed” list! So sad how at first it seems we’re more in touch with who resonates and can take it in a more light-hearted way… it might have stayed fun and light for me if I had stayed on that side of human design. Glad some of this resonated with you too <3
Human design has helped me in profound ways, AND I was so lucky to have a mentor in the initial stages who made sure to remind me often that Ra himself said he didn't recall everything correctly, he was no infallible, that he was, in fact human. Thankfully I also really latched on to the idea that this is an EXPERIMENT and if it's not for me, it's not for me. Thanks for writing this piece. Really wonderful, thorough perspective.
Loved your perspective on this, Chiara! And thank you for sharing! It's given me lots to reflect on. Although I've not had the same experience as you I am weary of people who make anything THE next best thing you can't live without.
Discernment is key in today's world, isn't it? Thank you again 💛
I too have had a positive experience with Human Design. Maybe it’s because I studied with Erin C Jones (and other mentors who were definitely open to making it more practical and not attaching to Source material!).
When I read charts I’m very open to dialoguing with my clients and honoring their sovereignty and lived experience. I don’t attach to “purity” culture so I find HD to be more empowering than cultish. Ultimately it’s about an individual’s lived truth—and I honor that above all else. No system can become your God.
I honor your thoughts and enjoyed reading your opinions. It’s absolutely possible for us all to have varying experiences and I’m glad to see all the diversity in these discussions. This is what true liberation feels like.
Wonderfully written article. I love HD and have used it with my coaching clients but I whole heartedly agree with what you wrote. I found this weird protective energy and even saw HD Corp. lash out at other human design readers. That was a red flag. 🚩 We should always question things and when that is not encouraged, something isn’t right. Thank you for sharing and talking about something very few are.
I have had the lovely experience of existing outside the cult-ish community of HD. But I do like the HD system and how it resonates with me and my chart. I have found it to be a useful tool. But the language is purposefully hard to understand.
Ra was also a sinyasin, which was a cult. The original story of the voice is a hard one to explain to muggles without looking like a fool who's fallen for a cultish agenda. I'm not saying Ra's experience didn't happen that way - but to most people it's sounds full on cray cray.
The people you mentioned who have been exiled from the community have really taken the Ra material and made it digestible to the collective. And let's not forget - the whole point of HD is not for us adults. It's for the children. So they can grow up and be themselves without having to ignore what makes themselves themselves.
Anyways, thank you for bravely sharing your experience and speaking up on what feels wrong in the HD world. This is important stuff!
I look forward to more of your writing in the future.
This was excellent. Such a deep and profound contemplation. You’ve touched on so many of the things I’ve been feeling over the past several months. More recently I’ve decided to pull back from the system so I can fully innerstand if I’m utilizing it as a tool or as law.
I met Ra Uru Hu in 1997, studied directly with him, and became an analyst. I also learned from Zeno, whose insights deepened my understanding in ways that still echo. Human Design is not a belief system or ideology—it’s an offering. A provocative map for those drawn to contemplate the unanswerable question of: Who—or what—am I really?
Like many systems, it has attracted both cult-like devotion and overly simplistic “HD for Dummies” interpretations. But my early studies revealed something I couldn’t ignore: the shocking, uncanny truths not just in my chart, but in those of thousands I observed over the years. From “shaking hands with the devil” to themes of promiscuity, betrayal, melancholy, and genius—these patterns emerged again and again with an unsettling clarity and oddly divine.
Perhaps Human Design is not here to save us, but to show us—with ruthless precision—how we’ve been wired, conditioned, and plugged into what some might call the Matrix. Or, more accurately, the architecture of the Godhead itself.
That kind of knowledge doesn’t need followers. It needs witnesses.
This post just appeared on my feed and I resonate with it quite a bit.
I straight up, from the moment I learned about HD five years ago, chose to /never/ take in /any/ direct material (specifically audio) from source man himself.
I found that there’s something about the way he presented information that felt very brainwashy IMO and my whole body said “absolutely not”, and I trusted that gut feeling.
It felt like the system took the human out of Human Design — and although I can appreciate a desire for black and white — just isn’t realistic and often felt incompatible with lived experience.
I noted very early on “leaders” in the community always taught through parroting information instead of speaking through lived experiences, whether their own or through people they were connected through. It had me questioning “do they even believe what they’re teaching? Do they even know if it works? Or are they just saying it works cause source man said it does????”
I have a hard time connecting with something if the matter within its theory cannot translate to reality.
It was also the straight up bullying that had me stay away from connecting with most people in the community, because many just let that behaviour slide, and others participated in it whether it be outright, or in subtweet style.
When the whole premise is to experiment; and then to witness people bully others for trying things out (!!!!!!?). I get very protective and find myself trying to keep others away from the community & gatekeep a bit, which feels even worse.
I love the system, but I agree; I don’t think it’s the whole picture. I think it’s one part of the story, and as a person that has a touch of the tism, helps me better understand others and have grace for them.
The system can still be a great tool outside of the social aspects of it — kind of how I can still appreciate Harry Potter as a body of work despite the creator and what she individually stands for.
See I have this same problem in the astrology community. As I've studied astrology, I have begun to see the planets in very different ways than traditional or modern Astrology defines them. But say any of that on the astrology subreddit and you get shot down instantly or even deleted!
I think these rigid dogmatic elitists have missed the main idea behind these systems. They are meant to help you define who you become (to steal a lyric from a song), to think more deeply about how and why we are the way we are. These systems are a method, or tool, for self discovery. They aren't meant to be religions.
I've learned a lot about how my 5/1 split definition generator aura works, and it has helped me understand how I interact with others. Astrology has helped me understand how my mind works, why I think the way I do. Humans love stories, and these systems tell us a narrative about how we work. But the stories aren't written in stone. The stories are actually meant to change and evolve.
thank you for such a thoughtful comment. I totally agree with everything you shared! I don't think the problem is with the systems themselves - it's the dogma/elitism/lack of questioning that tends to get embedded in certain communities. If we all had our own personal relationships to these systems, and are able to make them our own by taking what resonates and ditching the rest, I feel like they are still incredibly beneficial.
This is really interesting. I've been intrigued by Human Design but the paywalling of pertinent info has been off putting. I sense there is more to it as to why I can't seem to dive in fully. This post seems to point to the answer for me. Thank you for this insightful piece.
Interesting to read your point of view here. I have noticed the "radicalism" of many people in the HD community, and at the same time noticed the "opposing side," groups of people who completely reject S&A and all that stuff. Personally... and very true to my nature... I see things in my own way and side with no one. I have recently had crazy deep physical experiences when listening to Ra teach the mechanics of substructure... and I can feel how there are truths that I am experiencing in a way that surpass my mind. I am not "trying to" be or do or fit into any mental concepts... I am finding that what I am learning is giving a context to things I already experience. For me, this is the beauty that I am finding in Human Design. My physical experience first and foremost, above all else. And it has been bringing me a deep sense of satisfaction - and peace, too.
It's funny because as I was reading your thoughts about your experiences within the HD community and with HD, it seems wild to me... my experience of Human Design is totally different. Of course, I am actually on the outskirts of the community, always doing my own thing in my own way. Even when I want to be "included and accepted" it seems that it is not in my frequency to call that to myself. And here is not me trying to use HD speak, that's just how I have always thought of things. Although HD did bring me a sense of understanding why I have always been on the outside of any and all groups. That has been comforting and allowed me to just relax into the truth that I am how I am and not feel bad as if there is something wrong with me. Actually, it feels like that is all Human Design has brought me. Relief and permission to stop thinking I was broken. So it is interesting to see your experience within it.
Anyway. I told myself I wasn't going to comment... and yet somehow I did lol. To me, I see that as my sacral guiding me. I dunno, maybe it is, maybe it isn't. All I know is it has allowed me to embrace myself MORE thinking about it this way. And put my mind out of the way.
OMG I was going to wrap this comment up and not keep going! 😅 ANYWAY. I hope that my comment isn't taken in any wrong way. I just felt called to share.
I've been thinking about this a lot since you last wrote about "HD fundamentalism." Personally, this has not been my experience of HD or the HD communities I participate in, but I've certainly witnessed it. It concerns me whenever I see it, but I also sometimes think that perhaps it is a "phase" some people need to go through (and may even be right for some people, at least for a time).
Having spent time studying lots of other systems, I do think that this sort of cultish behavior is a potential danger for any kind of school of thought. It's more about how one approaches the system than necessarily the system itself (although of course some are more prone to be misused than others.) It also feels like there is just a lot dogmatic thinking out there these days - you can see a lot of cult-like characteristics in American politics, as well as in academia, just to list some more "mainstream" examples.
For me, the bigger question is how the more "official" institutions are handling it, since there will always be fringe elements in a spiritual system like this. (Also, I absolutely think Human Design is a religion, but that's a neutral rather than negative statement to me. Scientific materialism, the main belief system of the homogenized western world, is also a religion in my view.) It's been interesting to see that the official Jovian Archive IG account follows a number of "pop-HD" teachers, and their own marketing recently has taken on a bit of that flavor. (Maybe the "radical" people would even think they are selling out, lol.)
Outside of the institutions, it's also important for the practitioners to call it out, especially those who have a more prominent position. That is the norm in the communities I'm in, but I totally understand that's not the case everywhere (and the messages from those "at the top" are mixed, I will also concede.)
Anyway, these are some of my jumbled thoughts around this. I appreciate that you've been been writing and starting a conversation about this, as it's a very important one. And I do hope that as you develop a healthier (and more individuated) relationship to the system that you'll find a healthier community within it as well.
Thank you for sharing. I think so many of us are on the same boat. I finished LYD and Rave ABC. Thankfully, before I registered for Rave Cartography, I found Chaitanyo. I was surprised how easy it was to drop the types, the strategy and authority, and other interpretations by Ra. Keynotes did it for me in Rave ABC. It just didn’t sit right. My now regular calls with Chaitanyo give me so much joy. He is an incredible person and I hope more people discover his and Zeno’s approach to Human Design.
ANYTHING can be turned into a cult. Lululemon. Kundalini Yoga. Teal Swan on YouTube. Millions of people around the world buy Osho books and quote this known cult leader all over the internet — Osho is the pen name of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Mastery In Transformational Training aka Lifespring is a cult with several outstanding lawsuits that has driven people to suicide, locking them up in rooms deprived of food, water, told not to go to the bathroom, and told that enduring this would be proof of their strength. Men instructed to cross-dress to face their fears of emasculation and humiliation, people told to scream until their voices were hoarse, forced to stay and do this until 7 AM even if people had to take their kids to school or go to work.
Spiritual discernment is a skill to develop that will alert you to when something is cult-like. A friend offered to pay for Mastery In Transformational Training for my birthday and invited me to an event to check it out. I knew immediately. A senior finance manager my ex knew from work invited him and he got sucked in right away. We had to fight them like hell to get him out. The difference? Probably because I've been trained by Tibetan meditation teachers, a Chinese Qigong master, Central, South American, and Hawaiian shamans, for nearly two decades of my life (18 years and going) — I realized that those wackos were nothing like my teachers.
“There is a saying in the Tibetan scriptures: 'Knowledge must be burned, hammered, and beaten like pure gold. Then one can wear it as an ornament.' So when you receive spiritual instruction from the hands of another, you do not take it uncritically, but you burn it, you hammer it, you beat it, until the bright, dignified color of gold appears. Then you craft it into an ornament, whatever design you like, and you put it on.”
“No matter what the practice or teaching, ego loves to wait in ambush to appropriate spirituality for its own survival and gain.”
― Chögyam Trungpa, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism
Chögyam Trungpa, like some other Buddhist spiritual leaders, has faced serious allegations regarding sexual abuse and abuse of power. This raises valid concerns about the dynamics of devotion to a teacher and how it can sometimes resemble the loyalty seen in cult-like environments. @mysticalheretic
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/nyregion/shambhala-sexual-misconduct.html
The core teachings of Buddhism contain much wisdom and value. Yet, it's disheartening to see individuals with troubling pasts being held up as figures of respect. It's particularly poignant that Trungpa is referenced in discussions about cults, especially in relation to fostering an environment of unquestioning devotion.
The main logical fallacy here is hasty generalization—taking specific cases of abuse within Buddhism and using them to imply a fundamental issue with devotion to teachers in Buddhist traditions. Secondly, confirmation bias—you are countering with confirmation bias by selectively focusing on abusive Buddhist figures while ignoring the broader context of abuse in other institutions. Lastly, guilt by association— arguing that because some Buddhist leaders have engaged in misconduct, the tradition itself fosters cult-like behavior.
I completely understand why concerns about abuse in spiritual communities need to be taken seriously. Any form of abuse—whether in religious institutions, academia, or politics—is unacceptable and must be addressed transparently.
However, the presence of abuse within Buddhist communities does not mean that Buddhism inherently fosters abusive dynamics. The same could be said about any institution where power is involved—governments, corporations, or even families. The issue isn't unique to Buddhism but rather a human issue involving power imbalances.
If we were to judge an entire tradition based on the misdeeds of some leaders, then by that logic, we would have to dismiss academia because of predatory professors, democracy because of corrupt politicians, or even psychotherapy because of unethical therapists. Instead of throwing out entire systems, we should be investigating power structures and accountability mechanisms within them.
Regarding devotion to a teacher, it's important to differentiate between healthy reverence and blind obedience. Buddhism, especially in its more contemplative traditions, emphasizes discernment and personal inquiry. The idea that all Buddhist teachings encourage 'unquestioning devotion' seems to conflate a nuanced relationship with a simplistic cult-like mentality. Have you considered that many students engage critically with their teachers rather than surrendering autonomy?
One of the most overlooked aspects of abuse within hierarchical structures—whether in spiritual communities, workplaces, families, or governments—is the role of betrayal bonding. This is a deeply ingrained psychological response where victims form loyalty to an abuser due to cycles of power, control, and intermittent reinforcement. Instead of framing this as an issue exclusive to Buddhism or any single tradition, we need broader awareness of how betrayal bonding impacts human relationships across all areas of life. Focusing on this dynamic allows for a more constructive discussion about psychological resilience, personal autonomy, and the structures that enable abuse—rather than placing blame solely on specific institutions while ignoring the larger patterns of human behavior. Meaningful and substantial change can only happen by addressing the root cause of the issue.
The mutual understanding here is that power should be held accountable and that abuse must be addressed. The real conversation should be about ethical leadership, proper checks and balances, and empowering individuals to make informed choices—rather than assuming point blank that devotion in Buddhism always leads to harmful dynamics.
Thank you for taking the time to offer a thoughtful response. I am a survivor, so abuses in religious, spiritual settings, or institutional settings can be upsetting to me. I don't have time to provide a lengthy response right now. I'll certainly consider what you've said here. Exploitation and power dynamics that is an area of interest to me. I like Stephen Hassan’s work on cults. Human Design does seem to have some culty aspects. I'm going to need to give this more thought and consideration.
I am not a survivor myself, thankfully never had to unravel spiritual dogma. But I have soul walked with many women who have emerged from that. My spidey senses are high on New Age stuff much of which is cult like. I do agree with Emma that there are a lot of pieces of wisdom in Buddhism, as there are in the Abrahamic and other organized religions when you dive into the mystical teachings. But really all organized religions took over previous animistic and indigenous spiritual practices and so were rooted in control in some way. You can love the teachings and not get involved in the organizations or fully commit to any of them. I am an Omnist/Animist at heart, so I study them all, both the wisdom and the history. But each and every one of these including Buddhism has a hierarchal structure and I don't do hierarchy. And has not historically been kind to women either and elevating them to the highest levels. Certainly that is not true in all cases in modern times but it is still part of its roots. And what I say to those who say don't blame the teachings blame the teacher. I don't buy that, and it is a cop out for a lot of these issues that have arisen all over the spiritual spectrum. My response is, if the teachings and the structures (which were set up by the teachings to put people in a power dynamic) are so great then it should create great leaders who do not behave this way. Yes every one is human and makes mistakes. But I absolutely do hold so called leaders and the entire organizations they are a part of to a higher standard because they can really cause some damage.
Thank you for your thoughtful response, Dina. You have articulated the central dilemmas much better than I would. I'm not into hierarchy either. So, it’s probably why I cannot participate in organized religion or any kind of spiritual group as a follower. I still seek spiritual understanding, but I suppose I'm more of a hermit. I'm okay with that. I also have a family history of religious trauma where women were abused within a patriarchal structure for many generations — The Dutch Mennonite Church. I cannot condone that kind of behavior. I expect more ethical conduct from religious or spiritual teachers.
Sending you lots of love. I get where you are coming from. I tend to hang out in some spiritual communities but they are non-hierarchal and rooted in sisterhood, wisdom council circles where we all share our wisdom and the Divine Feminine (in the divine feminine ways we do not have followers nor follow we are sovereign and learn how to deepen our sovereignty) but there are even some of those where power dynamics do happen. But overall the ones I have been involved in are not really rooted in spirituality in the common vernacular but more myth and soul based plus a lot of nature based work (hence the Animism). I thrive on community because I am not a hermit. So NOT. I need connection like air to breathe. But it does take a lot of work to find spaces that resonate and bring a sense of belonging and radical hospitality and that truly do remain non-hierarchical and strive to be synarchal.
This is great, I enjoyed this response. - Mark
Was about to come on and say some of this. But as Anna below said, Buddhism is just as problematic and hierarchical.
Great piece, Chiara. As a student of astrology, when a friend introduced me to HD in 2019 I was super intrigued but also immediately put off by the amount of paywalling there was to access the info beyond profile, type, strategy, and authority. It seemed like these were things that had depth behind them, but in order to access the depth I had to pay the big bucks. I already had another system in Astro to fill my mind up with and experiment with in my life (for free), so I stopped my studies of HD as soon as I began.
Over time, curiosity got the best of me, but it was through the welcoming voices of Rudd, Parker, and many of the other ‘shamed outsiders’. I’ve started tentatively calling myself a HD guide because it’s the easiest way for people to understand what I’m writing/podcasting about, but it’s always felt a little… off.
I consider myself a student of the world, of history, and am a big fan of cultural synthesis. So beyond the high paywalls, what has always bothered me about classic ‘source’ HD is that there is rarely a reference by Ra and his devotees to the true source material (ie the i’ching or kaballah or the zodiac). I have asked so many questions that were answered fairly coldly with ‘because the voice said so’, and then did my own research and found the real, complex answer in ancient texts. That’s the thing that feels the most cultish to me- the lack of allowing for curiosity and discourse.
I love that finding HD has brought me to a deeper inquiry about all of these ancient wisdom traditions and a community of curious, alive people… and I am also happy that all this self reflection is rising to the top! ♥️♥️♥️
ahhh thank you for your kind comment Alison! Yes to investigating the true roots of this system and remaining curious. I was having this conversation the other day with somebody who was going deeper into the Kabbalah, and she was telling me "the channels we have defined are our pathway to god" or something similar and it spoke to me SO HARD. Also second you on how many amazing and interesting people I have met through this space, and I hope I articulated here this isn't the entire "truth," just a sliver based on my own experience in the community.
That's where my nose is taking me to. If HD is built on Astro, the Kabbalah, the iching etc. I want to learn those systems outside of HD and come to my own opinions.
YES
I never could resonate with HD. Rudd and the Gene Keys on the other hand. Totally different vibe and for me a much deeper level of resonance and ability to do something tangible in my life as a result of the information. Besides the problematic culty vibe I get off HD, I have paid people for readings and it is like they are dribbling out information, not much more than I read in my profiles, and my sense is because they really didn't know anything more than that and really couldn't make it personal. For me, I deep dive into my Gene Keys on my own and with some of Richards transmissions (the new Star Pearl is really integrative) but its inner work. For readings from people outside of myself I work with the wise women who don't have huge names and are oracles in the ancient ways. They don't have organizations and hierarchies.
Love this. Balanced, researched, thought-provoking. I sit happily in the middle, taking what makes sense, experimenting while respecting my self identity, maintaining an open mind. HD is brilliant, and not my deity. Guess I’d be in the rebel group! Thanks for writing such a great article.
I just want to thank you for writing a piece that describes exactly how I have been feeling about HD over the past few years. I stumbled across HD through Emma Dunwoody - who is another who would be described as “non-purist” - and I truly resonated with a lot of what she shared. To be able to come to peace with myself with all the interests I have and starting stuff but rarely finishing anything, because I was off exploring another interest, was a huge relief… I identified with a Manifesting Generator through and through. What started out as fun and interesting became dogmatic and I had to step back and look at it for what it was (for me). Which is exactly what you have described here. My thoughts on HD have changed and I’m no longer looking at it as all truth for me, so as a MG I’m off exploring other things!
oh yes Emma Dunwoody was definitely another person on the “pop HD shamed” list! So sad how at first it seems we’re more in touch with who resonates and can take it in a more light-hearted way… it might have stayed fun and light for me if I had stayed on that side of human design. Glad some of this resonated with you too <3
Human design has helped me in profound ways, AND I was so lucky to have a mentor in the initial stages who made sure to remind me often that Ra himself said he didn't recall everything correctly, he was no infallible, that he was, in fact human. Thankfully I also really latched on to the idea that this is an EXPERIMENT and if it's not for me, it's not for me. Thanks for writing this piece. Really wonderful, thorough perspective.
Loved your perspective on this, Chiara! And thank you for sharing! It's given me lots to reflect on. Although I've not had the same experience as you I am weary of people who make anything THE next best thing you can't live without.
Discernment is key in today's world, isn't it? Thank you again 💛
I too have had a positive experience with Human Design. Maybe it’s because I studied with Erin C Jones (and other mentors who were definitely open to making it more practical and not attaching to Source material!).
When I read charts I’m very open to dialoguing with my clients and honoring their sovereignty and lived experience. I don’t attach to “purity” culture so I find HD to be more empowering than cultish. Ultimately it’s about an individual’s lived truth—and I honor that above all else. No system can become your God.
I honor your thoughts and enjoyed reading your opinions. It’s absolutely possible for us all to have varying experiences and I’m glad to see all the diversity in these discussions. This is what true liberation feels like.
Wonderfully written article. I love HD and have used it with my coaching clients but I whole heartedly agree with what you wrote. I found this weird protective energy and even saw HD Corp. lash out at other human design readers. That was a red flag. 🚩 We should always question things and when that is not encouraged, something isn’t right. Thank you for sharing and talking about something very few are.
I have had the lovely experience of existing outside the cult-ish community of HD. But I do like the HD system and how it resonates with me and my chart. I have found it to be a useful tool. But the language is purposefully hard to understand.
Ra was also a sinyasin, which was a cult. The original story of the voice is a hard one to explain to muggles without looking like a fool who's fallen for a cultish agenda. I'm not saying Ra's experience didn't happen that way - but to most people it's sounds full on cray cray.
The people you mentioned who have been exiled from the community have really taken the Ra material and made it digestible to the collective. And let's not forget - the whole point of HD is not for us adults. It's for the children. So they can grow up and be themselves without having to ignore what makes themselves themselves.
Anyways, thank you for bravely sharing your experience and speaking up on what feels wrong in the HD world. This is important stuff!
I look forward to more of your writing in the future.
This was excellent. Such a deep and profound contemplation. You’ve touched on so many of the things I’ve been feeling over the past several months. More recently I’ve decided to pull back from the system so I can fully innerstand if I’m utilizing it as a tool or as law.
I met Ra Uru Hu in 1997, studied directly with him, and became an analyst. I also learned from Zeno, whose insights deepened my understanding in ways that still echo. Human Design is not a belief system or ideology—it’s an offering. A provocative map for those drawn to contemplate the unanswerable question of: Who—or what—am I really?
Like many systems, it has attracted both cult-like devotion and overly simplistic “HD for Dummies” interpretations. But my early studies revealed something I couldn’t ignore: the shocking, uncanny truths not just in my chart, but in those of thousands I observed over the years. From “shaking hands with the devil” to themes of promiscuity, betrayal, melancholy, and genius—these patterns emerged again and again with an unsettling clarity and oddly divine.
Perhaps Human Design is not here to save us, but to show us—with ruthless precision—how we’ve been wired, conditioned, and plugged into what some might call the Matrix. Or, more accurately, the architecture of the Godhead itself.
That kind of knowledge doesn’t need followers. It needs witnesses.
This post just appeared on my feed and I resonate with it quite a bit.
I straight up, from the moment I learned about HD five years ago, chose to /never/ take in /any/ direct material (specifically audio) from source man himself.
I found that there’s something about the way he presented information that felt very brainwashy IMO and my whole body said “absolutely not”, and I trusted that gut feeling.
It felt like the system took the human out of Human Design — and although I can appreciate a desire for black and white — just isn’t realistic and often felt incompatible with lived experience.
I noted very early on “leaders” in the community always taught through parroting information instead of speaking through lived experiences, whether their own or through people they were connected through. It had me questioning “do they even believe what they’re teaching? Do they even know if it works? Or are they just saying it works cause source man said it does????”
I have a hard time connecting with something if the matter within its theory cannot translate to reality.
It was also the straight up bullying that had me stay away from connecting with most people in the community, because many just let that behaviour slide, and others participated in it whether it be outright, or in subtweet style.
When the whole premise is to experiment; and then to witness people bully others for trying things out (!!!!!!?). I get very protective and find myself trying to keep others away from the community & gatekeep a bit, which feels even worse.
I love the system, but I agree; I don’t think it’s the whole picture. I think it’s one part of the story, and as a person that has a touch of the tism, helps me better understand others and have grace for them.
The system can still be a great tool outside of the social aspects of it — kind of how I can still appreciate Harry Potter as a body of work despite the creator and what she individually stands for.
See I have this same problem in the astrology community. As I've studied astrology, I have begun to see the planets in very different ways than traditional or modern Astrology defines them. But say any of that on the astrology subreddit and you get shot down instantly or even deleted!
I think these rigid dogmatic elitists have missed the main idea behind these systems. They are meant to help you define who you become (to steal a lyric from a song), to think more deeply about how and why we are the way we are. These systems are a method, or tool, for self discovery. They aren't meant to be religions.
I've learned a lot about how my 5/1 split definition generator aura works, and it has helped me understand how I interact with others. Astrology has helped me understand how my mind works, why I think the way I do. Humans love stories, and these systems tell us a narrative about how we work. But the stories aren't written in stone. The stories are actually meant to change and evolve.
thank you for such a thoughtful comment. I totally agree with everything you shared! I don't think the problem is with the systems themselves - it's the dogma/elitism/lack of questioning that tends to get embedded in certain communities. If we all had our own personal relationships to these systems, and are able to make them our own by taking what resonates and ditching the rest, I feel like they are still incredibly beneficial.
This is really interesting. I've been intrigued by Human Design but the paywalling of pertinent info has been off putting. I sense there is more to it as to why I can't seem to dive in fully. This post seems to point to the answer for me. Thank you for this insightful piece.
I feel the same way!
Interesting to read your point of view here. I have noticed the "radicalism" of many people in the HD community, and at the same time noticed the "opposing side," groups of people who completely reject S&A and all that stuff. Personally... and very true to my nature... I see things in my own way and side with no one. I have recently had crazy deep physical experiences when listening to Ra teach the mechanics of substructure... and I can feel how there are truths that I am experiencing in a way that surpass my mind. I am not "trying to" be or do or fit into any mental concepts... I am finding that what I am learning is giving a context to things I already experience. For me, this is the beauty that I am finding in Human Design. My physical experience first and foremost, above all else. And it has been bringing me a deep sense of satisfaction - and peace, too.
It's funny because as I was reading your thoughts about your experiences within the HD community and with HD, it seems wild to me... my experience of Human Design is totally different. Of course, I am actually on the outskirts of the community, always doing my own thing in my own way. Even when I want to be "included and accepted" it seems that it is not in my frequency to call that to myself. And here is not me trying to use HD speak, that's just how I have always thought of things. Although HD did bring me a sense of understanding why I have always been on the outside of any and all groups. That has been comforting and allowed me to just relax into the truth that I am how I am and not feel bad as if there is something wrong with me. Actually, it feels like that is all Human Design has brought me. Relief and permission to stop thinking I was broken. So it is interesting to see your experience within it.
Anyway. I told myself I wasn't going to comment... and yet somehow I did lol. To me, I see that as my sacral guiding me. I dunno, maybe it is, maybe it isn't. All I know is it has allowed me to embrace myself MORE thinking about it this way. And put my mind out of the way.
OMG I was going to wrap this comment up and not keep going! 😅 ANYWAY. I hope that my comment isn't taken in any wrong way. I just felt called to share.
I relate so much to everything you just said! Thank you for taking the time to articulate it.
I’m glad it resonated! 💙
I've been thinking about this a lot since you last wrote about "HD fundamentalism." Personally, this has not been my experience of HD or the HD communities I participate in, but I've certainly witnessed it. It concerns me whenever I see it, but I also sometimes think that perhaps it is a "phase" some people need to go through (and may even be right for some people, at least for a time).
Having spent time studying lots of other systems, I do think that this sort of cultish behavior is a potential danger for any kind of school of thought. It's more about how one approaches the system than necessarily the system itself (although of course some are more prone to be misused than others.) It also feels like there is just a lot dogmatic thinking out there these days - you can see a lot of cult-like characteristics in American politics, as well as in academia, just to list some more "mainstream" examples.
For me, the bigger question is how the more "official" institutions are handling it, since there will always be fringe elements in a spiritual system like this. (Also, I absolutely think Human Design is a religion, but that's a neutral rather than negative statement to me. Scientific materialism, the main belief system of the homogenized western world, is also a religion in my view.) It's been interesting to see that the official Jovian Archive IG account follows a number of "pop-HD" teachers, and their own marketing recently has taken on a bit of that flavor. (Maybe the "radical" people would even think they are selling out, lol.)
Outside of the institutions, it's also important for the practitioners to call it out, especially those who have a more prominent position. That is the norm in the communities I'm in, but I totally understand that's not the case everywhere (and the messages from those "at the top" are mixed, I will also concede.)
Anyway, these are some of my jumbled thoughts around this. I appreciate that you've been been writing and starting a conversation about this, as it's a very important one. And I do hope that as you develop a healthier (and more individuated) relationship to the system that you'll find a healthier community within it as well.
Thank you for sharing. I think so many of us are on the same boat. I finished LYD and Rave ABC. Thankfully, before I registered for Rave Cartography, I found Chaitanyo. I was surprised how easy it was to drop the types, the strategy and authority, and other interpretations by Ra. Keynotes did it for me in Rave ABC. It just didn’t sit right. My now regular calls with Chaitanyo give me so much joy. He is an incredible person and I hope more people discover his and Zeno’s approach to Human Design.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts 💛