130. Andrew Cohen

Andrew Cohen (1955–2025) was a spiritual teacher and the founder of EnlightenNext, an organization associated with his teaching of “Evolutionary Enlightenment.” He was a student of H. W. L. Poonja and wrote several books, including My Master Is My Self and Evolutionary Enlightenment.I interviewed Andrew in July 2012. Soon afterward, serious accounts emerged from former students describing a harmful and coercive culture within EnlightenNext. In light of those accounts, I removed this interview from the BatGap site.I have decided to restore it following Andrew’s death, not as an endorsement or a minimization of the harm experienced by former members, but because he appeared to make sincere efforts in later years to confront his behavior and change. These included therapy, ayahuasca work, a willingness to take ordinary jobs when necessary, and participation in the candid documentary How I Created a Cult, which includes difficult testimony from former members and is far from flattering to him.This interview is being made available as a historical record. As always, viewers are encouraged to exercise discernment and form their own conclusions.Books by Andrew Cohen:My Master Is My SelfEnlightenment Is a SecretAn Unconditional Relationship to LifeFreedom Has No History Embracing Heaven & EarthLiving EnlightenmentEvolutionary Enlightenment: A New Path for Spiritual Awakening Interview conducted 7/14/2012