Episode 141: Bentinho Massaro: Instagram Guru
Like, follow, share, subscribe. Social media has become a way for us to connect with friends, keep up with the news, and more recently, get sucked into possibly harmful spiritual groups. One so-called Instagram guru has founded his community online - touting his ability to control the weather, his connection with aliens, and his status as an actual God. Is he inviting followers to an enlightened lifestyle, or recruiting suckers to fund his exotic vacations, fine whiskies and expensive cigars? This week’s episode is Bentiho Massaro, Instagram Guru.
SOURCES
Word Watch: A Code Switch Game Show, NPR (regarding the word “Guru”): https://www.npr.org/transcripts/632049531
The Controversial Guru who Wants to Upgrade Civilization, The Believers on Vice: https://video.vice.com/en_us/video/believers-controversial-guru-spiritual-bentinho-massaro-trinfinity/5b5b7625be4077193e48b557
Sedona Police Department investigates possible suicide, Red Rocks News: http://www.redrocknews.com/sedona-police-department-investigates-possible-suicide/
Bentinho Massaro's Sedona Experiment: How the search for enlightenment led to a digital cult, AZ Central: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-best-reads/2018/05/09/bentinho-massaro-sedona-experiment-how-search-enlightenment-led-digital-cult/487923002/
When Spirituality Goes Viral, Playboy: https://www.playboy.com/read/spirituality-goes-viral
Bentinho Massaro, Website: https://www.bentinhomassaro.com/biography
Bentino Massaro--AMENDED 1/29, It’s Not Real, Dr. Edward Muzika; https://itisnotreal.blogspot.com/2014/01/bentino-massaro-amended-129.html
My journey into the dark, hypnotic world of a millennial guru, The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/09/strange-hypnotic-world-millennial-guru-bentinho-massaro-youtube
Bentinho Massaro Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bentinhomassaro/photos/a.205428999523099/797552173644109/?type=3
Kabbalah: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah
Spiritual Teacher for the Next Generation Brings Ancient Teachings to the 21st Century, Business Wire (Press Release): https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160404006267/en/Spiritual-Teacher-for-the-Next-Generation-Brings-Ancient-Teachings-to-the-21st-Century
Bentinho Massaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B55CmkfAwjo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Tech Bro Guru: Inside the Sedona Cult of Bentinho Massaro, GuruMag: https://gurumag.com/tech-bro-guru-inside-the-sedona-cult-of-bentinho-massaro/
Meet the Guru Hunter, Fair Observer: https://www.fairobserver.com/region/north_america/be-scofield-guru-hunter-metoo-sexual-abuse-yoga-cults-news-007171/
The Cult Promise of Bentinho Massaro, Gaby Petris: https://gabypetris.blogspot.com/2015/03/blog-post_24.html
Good Therapy: Emotional Freedom Technique: https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/emotional-freedom-technique
‘Cult’ Leader Claims He Can Change The Weather I TRULY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCbxYVY17Uo&feature=youtu.be
Sedona Experiment with Bentinho's "Dangerous Cult": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O0RxnNkyOE
Bentinho Massaro - Behind the Shit Eating Grin - Part 1 of 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNDr5WydIa0