y separately published work icon Breaking the Spell single work   autobiography  
Issue Details: First known date: 2009... 2009 Breaking the Spell
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Breaking the Spell is Jane Stork's extraordinary life story. Equally moving and disturbing, it chronicles the rise and fall of the religion Rajneeshism and the Rolls Royce guru, and Jane's part in the events that led to its collapse. Growing up in post-war Western Australia, Jane Stork had a conventional Catholic upbringing, and married her university sweetheart at age 21. Embarking on the familiar path of marriage and raising children, Jane's semblance of a normal life began to unravel as she entered her 30s. She sought answers at a meditation centre, and quickly became devoted to the Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, changing her name, adopting the orange robes of a "sannyasin", and uprooting her family to live first in an ashram in India and then in the Bhagwan-created city of Rajneeshpuram in Oregon, USA. It was here that Bhagwan's behaviour became increasingly bizarre. He began promoting a siege mentality among his followers, ordering them to amass firearms. He encouraged his secretary Sheela to use drastic methods to take over local governments and to punish the local communities who objected to their "utopian" city. For Jane, what started out as a journey seeking spiritual enlightenment began to descend into darkness as she sacrificed her marriage and children, and eventually - through a monstrous act of attempted murder - her freedom. Written with vivid immediacy and hard-won insight, Breaking the Spell is the incredible true story of a spiritual journey descending into madness, and the true meaning of redemption, self-determination and forgiveness. (Publisher's blurb)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Pick of the Week Bruce Elder , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 4-5 July 2009; (p. 31)

— Review of Breaking the Spell Jane Stork , 2009 single work autobiography
Untitled Sherri Kalow , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: Bookseller + Publisher Magazine , April vol. 88 no. 7 2009; (p. 29)

— Review of Breaking the Spell Jane Stork , 2009 single work autobiography
Jane Stork Writes of High Cost of Rajneesh's Free Love Judy Skatssoon , 2009 single work autobiography
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 10 April 2009;
Breaking the Spell Fiona Capp , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 4 April 2009; (p. 26)

— Review of Breaking the Spell Jane Stork , 2009 single work autobiography
Books Susan Hewitt , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 25 April 2009; (p. 20)

— Review of The Marriage Club Kate Legge , 2009 single work novel ; Disquiet Julia Leigh , 2008 single work novella ; Breaking the Spell Jane Stork , 2009 single work autobiography
Books Susan Hewitt , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 25 April 2009; (p. 20)

— Review of The Marriage Club Kate Legge , 2009 single work novel ; Disquiet Julia Leigh , 2008 single work novella ; Breaking the Spell Jane Stork , 2009 single work autobiography
Breaking the Spell Fiona Capp , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 4 April 2009; (p. 26)

— Review of Breaking the Spell Jane Stork , 2009 single work autobiography
Untitled Sherri Kalow , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: Bookseller + Publisher Magazine , April vol. 88 no. 7 2009; (p. 29)

— Review of Breaking the Spell Jane Stork , 2009 single work autobiography
Pick of the Week Bruce Elder , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 4-5 July 2009; (p. 31)

— Review of Breaking the Spell Jane Stork , 2009 single work autobiography
Jane Stork Writes of High Cost of Rajneesh's Free Love Judy Skatssoon , 2009 single work autobiography
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 10 April 2009;
Last amended 26 May 2009 15:23:18
Subjects:
  • Far Southwest Western Australia, Western Australia,
  • Oregon,
    c
    United States of America (USA),
    c
    Americas,
  • c
    India,
    c
    South Asia, South and East Asia, Asia,
  • ca. 1980
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