Cults to Consciousness3 Sep 2025

Surviving Childhood in the “Wild, Wild Country” Enlightenment Cult

Born in 1968, Sarito spent her formative years constantly on the move with her mother, a young hippie in search of spiritual meaning. At just nine years old, what was intended to be a brief summer trip to India took an unexpected turn. Sarito and her mother joined the ashram of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, transforming that fleeting visit into a seven-year journey within the commune—first in Pune, India, and later in the notorious city of Rajneeshpuram in Central Oregon. While in the commune, Sarito was submerged in a world where devotion and freedom clashed with man*pulation, s*xual misconduct, and neglect.

After the fall of Rajneeshpuram in 1985, sixteen-year-old Sarito was abruptly thrust into the “real world.” In her book “In the Shadow of Enlightenment” is the gripping story of Sarito’s chiIdhood inside the Osho Rajneesh cult—one of the most controversial spiritual movements of the 20th century.

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Sarito’s memoir “In the Shadows of Enlightenment”

Website: https://www.saritocarroll.com

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**Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

Chapter Marks

00:00:00 Intro

00:04:59 How Life Has Been Since the Release Of Sarito’s Book

00:07:09 Sarito’s Family's Introduction to the Cult

00:10:52 The Beginning of Sarito’s Time in India as a ChiId & Some of the Cults Practices

00:17:50 CW: CSA, the Highly S*xual Nature of the Cult and the Attention Sarito Received

00:21:15 Specifics About the Cult Leader

00:25:59 The Cult Leaders Teachings on Materialism and Wealth

00:32:30 The Us vs Them Mentality of the Cult

00:36:58 CW: CSA, the Cult Settling into Oregon & the Beginning of Sarito Being Gr**med

00:41:54 CW: CSA, More Details About the Gr**ming Sarito Received

00:49:48 The Tumult of Growing Up without any Structure or Role Models

00:53:23 The Excellent Organization of the Commune & Its Settling in Oregon

01:00:50 The Stark Contrast in Wealth and The Cult Leader's Interactions with its Members

01:10:40 The Conflict Between Different Members of the Cult & The Demise of the Cult

01:15:58 Sarito’s First Steps Outside of the Cult at 16

01:21:54 Sarito’s Interactions with The Cult After Leaving and Publishing Her Book

01:28:43 Final Thoughts

01:31:06 Linda, listen

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