In connection with the media promotion of the “Shakti Festival,” which is being held from October 15 to 19, 2025, at the “Mohanji Centre of Peace” (Obrenovac), the Apologetics Section of the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade–Karlovci has the duty to inform the faithful about certain important facts concerning the person behind the mentioned event.
Mohanji, an Indian guru who in recent years has gained followers both in Serbia and throughout the world, represents one of the contemporary phenomena of globalized spirituality. His teaching draws on elements of Hindu philosophy, mysticism, and ritualism (yoga and meditation), while at the same time adapting to the modern, secularized individual in search of spiritual meaning – one which he offers outside of religious institutions and in a very specific way. It is precisely this fusion of archaic Eastern symbols with a modern marketing approach that constitutes both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness.
Mohanji is a kind of “spiritual contractor” of globalization, in the sense that he is meant to provide the masses with comfort and a “clear conscience” while the system itself remains intact and continues on its course. His strategy aims at creating and activating a global network of spiritual, educational, and specifically designed social programmes and systems, where peacebuilding and humanitarian activism occupy a central place. He establishes his “branches” according to regional and national principles, and thus networks of “Mohanji Centres” and schools emerge across the world, connected to both local and international authorities.
With a clearly crafted image as a “man of the world,” spiritual leader, philanthropist, and humanitarian, Mohanji confidently presents himself as a life coach, therapist, and healer. His organization devotes great attention to visual presentation, social media, and a global volunteer network. This approach greatly resembles the methods used by major corporations: careful branding, slogans, and an insistence on followers’ positive experiences.
Charismatic – as every missionary is-he subtly introduces interested and well-intentioned participants into a specific spiritual system. He insists on “universal love” and syncretism, often claiming that all religions lead to the same truth. Through humanitarian projects and youth programmess, Mohanji introduces new generations to a “universal spirituality without religious boundaries,” which is essentially the spiritual ideology of globalization. His network of foundations, humanitarian organizations, schools, and “centres for peace” operates seamlessly as part of a broader system: workshops, programmess for children, spiritual retreats, and so on.
When one delves deeper into the content of Mohanji’s talks and books, it becomes clear that much of what he says is a collection of commonplaces: “live in love,” “overcome the ego,” “serve humanity.” These are undoubtedly noble and beautiful messages, but they lack clear theological and philosophical depth. His reflections are often closer to psychological advice for everyday life than to the kind of profound spiritual experience described in Orthodox mysticism. Mohanji’s organization systematically builds his cult: his image, words, and likeness become objects of attention and admiration.
The danger for Orthodox believers lies in the fact that Mohanji’s teaching is presented as something that “can be combined” with any religion, including Orthodox Christianity—a long-seen attempt to “reconcile” the Orthodox faith with Eastern guruism. It is particularly harmful that many of our people, influenced by public figures from the worlds of sport, media, and business, truly believe they can “reconcile” Orthodoxy with guruist teachings, which is absolutely impossible.
The greatest difference between Orthodox spirituality and the “teachings” of gurus lies in the fact that Orthodoxy is a path of self-sacrifice, humility, and ascetic struggle—a path that presupposes the cross and the battle against the passions—whereas in Mohanji’s and similar teachings, the emphasis is placed on “positive energy,” “inner peace,” and “love” that lacks a cross-bearing character and is not the fruit of purification from passions.
The “Mohanji” phenomenon is not a harmless “spiritual hobby” of modern man—it is a spiritual delusion that seduces souls with promises of peace and joy, yet without repentance and, ultimately, without Christ. Particularly alarming are the attempts to direct the youngest toward guruist centres and workshops, where, under the guise of “spiritual education,” foreign beliefs and occult practices are being offered to our children, leading them away from Christ and His Church.
For all these reasons, the faithful must remain vigilant and remember the words of the Lord that we cannot serve two masters (Mt 6:24) and must unequivocally reject cultic practices as spiritually harmful.
Apologetics Section of the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade–Karlovci
