April 7, 2025: Henry’s book, Killing For Krishna, made a cameo appearance in a video by Dr. Steven Hassan, a former member of Reverend Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church, the Founding Director of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center, and the author of several anti-cult books, including the book The Cult of Trump. During the interview, Steven picks up his copy of Killing For Krishna, (at 43:40 in the video) and asks his interviewee, “It just dawns on me, I interviewed this fellow [Henry Doktorski] who was involved with the group [we’re talking about: New Vrindaban]. Do you know him? You’re smiling!”

This was during an interview with Nori Muster, a former ISKCON devotee who served as executive secretary to the director of the Los-Angeles-based ISKCON Office of Public Relations and associate editor of the ISKCON World Review. Since leaving ISKCON in 1988, she has authored several books, including Betrayal of the Spirit and The Cult Survivor’s Handbook. When questioned by Steven, Nori laughs and responds:

“Oh yeah! I met him. Yeah, he’s a close friend, I’d say. Henry was a disciple of Kirtanananda and he had an okay time [at New Vrindaban]. He wasn’t involved [in the abuse]. He was like a music person. He [also] did sankirtan, traveling sankirtan, so he was always out of town, fundraising. So he would be out on the road with a crew, raising money. And then when he retired from that [fundraising], they [Kirtanananda] made him the head of a choir [and orchestra]. He’s a musician. He’s a really, really good musician. So he didn’t suffer in ISKCON at all. He had a good time there. And I’ve noticed his development over the years that I’ve known him, that he’s become more aware of what the problems were in New Vrindaban [and the abuse and suffering others experienced].”

In this 63-minute video, titled “FINDING FREEDOM: How to Regain Control After Leaving a Coercive CULT” (as noted in the video notes), Dr. Steven Hassan sits down with author, researcher, and cult survivor Nori Muster. Drawing on her experience as a former member and publicist for the ISKCON Hare Krishna movement, Nori offers a firsthand look at the inner workings of high-control groups and how psychological manipulation impacts identity, faith, and freedom. Together, Steven and Nori explore:

🔹 Life inside the Hare Krishna movement
🔹 The challenges of leaving a controlling group
🔹 The role of informed consent in spiritual communities
🔹 Healing after spiritual abuse
🔹 The psychological journey from indoctrination to empowerment

Nori shares personal stories, insights from her book Betrayal of the Spirit, and her work helping others recover from cultic environments. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in cult recovery, coercive control, and the power of reclaiming one’s voice.

To listen to Steven Hassan’s interview with Nori Muster, go to YouTube.

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