It’s a complex portrait of a woman who touched many lives but also left a trail of destruction in her wake. As Breath of Fire delves deeper into Griggs’s story, it raises important questions about power, influence, and the dangers of unchecked spiritual authority. The documentary serves as a cautionary tale for those who may be drawn to charismatic leaders promising enlightenment and transformation.
Ultimately, Breath of Fire is a reminder that reality is indeed a trance, and it’s up to each individual to discern truth from illusion. As we navigate a world filled with conflicting messages and ideologies, it’s important to stay grounded in our own values and beliefs, rather than blindly following those who claim to have all the answers.
“It was messy because of how much she changed over those years. Guru Jagat fell for QAnon and other far-right conspiracy theories. She doubted the existence of Covid-19 and refused to get vaccinated. She also created a toxic environment in her company. Phelan, who interviewed Griggs and is featured in the documentary, wrote in Vanity Fair magazine in 2021: “Jagat could be abusive, irrational, and had a tendency to lie; she spent money recklessly and often failed to pay her employees on time – many of whom, despite being full-time staff with ‘director’ titles, earned well below minimum wage and were asked to work as independent contractors, depriving them of benefits like healthcare. In a company-wide group chat, Jagat wrote, ‘Fuck you all’ for not sending a promotional email as she wanted and threatened another group: ‘I will ring [sic] your figurative necks if not every photo you’ve ever taken up until now isn’t in the dropbox.’” Pappas explains: “She took advantage of people’s vulnerabilities. As a spiritual teacher, she learned sensitive information about these individuals, but when they made mistakes in her eyes, she would use that against them publicly. Her behavior, if she had been strictly in one role, as a spiritual teacher or as a boss or as a colleague, might have been more understandable, but it became complicated because she filled all these roles simultaneously for these people.” Comparisons can be drawn with Holmes, the young entrepreneur whose startup company promised to revolutionize blood testing but was eventually indicted and jailed for defrauding investors and deceiving patients and doctors. Pappas comments: “You can see a clear comparison in terms of their ambition. You can also see a clear comparison in their rapid rise and the public’s eagerness to support them during that ascent. However, when they made mistakes and showed their human flaws, the reactions were exaggerated. Not to excuse their behavior, but it is important to note that when looking at Guru Jagat and Yogi Bhajan, we are dealing with two very different individuals and extents of harm. Guru Jagat’s wrongdoings pale in comparison to those of Yogi Bhajan and his abuses. There is also a bit of a female double standard in the comparison to Elizabeth Holmes, which we often see for women who rise to power in this manner.” Griggs’s business and personal health deteriorated. Pappas explains: “The walls are closing in on her due to the comments she made publicly. Despite being a self-proclaimed feminist, she ends up defending a man who has been accused and proven to have sexually assaulted and abused numerous women of different ages. Her mother said she joined the dark side.” Griggs passed away in 2021 from cardiac arrest caused by a pulmonary embolism following surgery on her left ankle. She was laid to rest at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. After her death, speakers praised her as a “tantric soul,” “a privileged soul,” an “incredibly brilliant light,” divine healer, and the “mother of creation culture.” Her community has since faced a reckoning, and Ra Ma recently closed its Los Angeles studio, though it continues to operate in New York and Mallorca. Pappas hopes that the film will encourage healthy skepticism and critical inquiry into the multibillion-dollar wellness industry during a time of social media disinformation. “I hope that people can see a bit of themselves in these characters and relate to their stories, as extreme as they may seem. It’s easy to hear a ‘cult story’ and think it could never happen to you or that it’s insane. We wanted to portray our characters as relatable and their desires and longings as understandable, showing how slippery the slope can be and where exploitation can occur. That’s why we chose to focus on Guru Jagat. Her transformation from Katie Griggs, a well-meaning seeker, to Guru Jagat, a manipulative guru, is fascinating and emblematic of this world – and the devastation it can bring.””