I have said on this website before that if it walks like a duck quacks like a duck then it probably is a duck! 

One of the defining characteristics of a cult is how polarized the opinions are in any dispute.  Take the Warren Jeffs trial where you had a victim, a 14 year old girl, who had been ‘married’ to one of her cousins against her will on Jeffs orders.  The case is a slam dunk as far a s the law is concerned and yet on the other side of the court room you have many many witnesses, including the victim’s own family members, giving evidence on behalf of the defendant who in this case was found guilty and is going to jail.

The reality is that where cults are concerned there is no middle ground you either support the leader, do as he or she says even if it means breaking the law or you are out!  If you are out the rest of the cult, even your friends and family will stand beside the leader and against you.  They do this because they are scared – sheep and fish find safety in numbers so people, in the face of mental and emotional abuse choose not to stick their heads above the parapet. 

This of course plays into the cult leaders hands as one by one he or she can single out his victims in the knowledge that the rest of the group will keep their heads down and say nothing.  The leader knows not to ‘abuse’ the whole group at once if that were to happen there might be an uprising so much better to single out a single victim and whip the group up to join in the fun as the victim is stripped of their dignity and in some cases their money.  This brings me to another cult leader – Deborah West or Devra West or if one were to use her latest ‘stage’ name Surya Ma.

Warren Jeffs believed he was God’s prophet well so does Surya Ma.  Warren Jeffs thought he was above the law so does Surya Ma.  According to the Whitefish Pilot news article of 12 July 2007 and I quote,

"She has told me that she has the 'spiritual' power and authority to 'take me out,' to be composted," Cole wrote in the temporary restraining order statement.  Dr Patricia MD claims West threw a lamp at her and hit her with a briefcase, cell phone and her hand.

"She took off her shoe and hit me on the top of my head, causing my scalp to bleed onto my face, neck and clothes," Dr Patricia's statement reads. "She threatened to kill me with a gun to my head, 'blowing my brains out,' and advised me to commit suicide by slitting my wrists, after I'd taken out an insurance policy on myself."

Click this link to read the article.

This matter is heading to trial soon I believe the matter will be heard in court in November this year and as with the Warren Jeffs trial we have the same polarization of evidence from the two groups of witnesses – just as you would expect where there is a cult involved!

Another doctor still very much involved with West and the cult allegedly gave evidence on behalf of Ms West allegedly saying that he believed Dr Patricia to be delusional.  Perhaps the other witnesses including the police who saw the bruised and battered Dr Patricia after the incident were delusional too?

Here is an excerpt from an email sent to me just shortly after the incident occurred.  This email comes from none other than Ms West’s AKA Surya Ma’s own office manager Rebecca West (no relation) still an employee at the time but soon to become an ex employee!  Remember as long as you are inside a cult the truth is what the leader tells you it is and as the office manager decided to take a stand for the REAL truth and her friend DR Patricia MD she was on borrowed time!  Indeed shortly after this incident she was the subject of threats, abuse and left being owed thousands of dollars in back pay and overtime.  Here is the email.

“I know everything, and for Dr. Cole and I, is currently a safety issue.  Law enforcement and legal counsel are currently investigating.  Upon making contact with you, I will proceed with documentation and exposure. My priority is the back wages, etc with the MT Wage and Labor Board.  My knowledge of and support goes to Dr. Cole for the severe beatings she suffered at the hands of Devra over an extended period of time. My care to the finance controller and his family for the money she has extorted.”

To read the entire email click on this link.

And this statement given to the Bigfork Eagle from another witness who was sharing an apartment with Dr Patricia at the time of the incident.

“The man who took the photos, however, tells a different story about the alleged assault. He came from out-of-state and was sharing the condo with Cole while he attended sessions with West. He said he was meditating when Cole appeared wearing a bloody sweatshirt.

The man said they cleaned some of the blood off Cole's scalp and then took photos so Cole, as a doctor, could see her injuries and decide how to treat the wound. Cole said West hit her on the head with a shoe, the roommate said.” 

To read the entire article click this link.

Before we decide who is most likely to be telling the truth - the cult camp or the victim’s witnesses - let us look at another aspect of this case money!  Ms West’s favourite subject!

Geoff Reynolds on behalf of Ms West and the cult said this to the Bigfork Eagle on August 9^th 2007.

Reynolds claims Dr Patricia owes West $753,484 and that colors Dr Patricia’s allegations. Dr Patricia’s bills for 2004-2006 totalled $1.3 million, including $250,000 for an "internship" under West and $213,750 in "therapy fees" for eleven months last year.  Dr Patricia managed to pay West $621,484, but it didn't come easy.  At one point, Dr Patricia cashed out her IRA and paid West $293,843.

Of course if any of this was true which it obviously is not (course fees when I was with West in 2002 ranged from $1,200 to $2,000!) then why is West pretending to raise money for the monks and monastery’s in Nepal?  After all if it were true she only needs a dozen students a year like Dr Patricia MD paying fees of $1.3 million each to have income of $15.6 million a year!  If this were so she could give away a couple of million to the monks in Nepal and not even notice it! 

But it is not true Ms West makes her living out of extorting money out of others – in the name of God of course!

And here is another perspective from a witness of Dr Patricia’s.  This witness currently employed by Ms West as office manager at the time of sending this email to me!

"After more than 30 employees coming and going, (16 just since I started May 1, 2006, not counting myself, current employees or contract labor), there are currently three employees remaining.  Two of the three are very much in her control due to fear and/or ignorance and have proven to me, I cannot trust them. I have been trying to get the monies she owes me before I end my contact with her, specifically a missing paycheck, overtime, overdraft charges and (wishful thinking) the bonus she promised me for the hundreds of hours of overtime I incurred. She sent her intimidating demand of me through her finance controller last evening, and I have until 5 p.m. today to talk to her. I must return and either give a 2-week notice and/or plan to be demoted from office manager to some other lowly position, (seems from historical accounting, I would become her personal care assistant).  

I have written her a letter that I have been hesitant on sending her, as I know it will create a wave of violent behaviour and I have little to protect myself.  My only safety net per law enforcement is to write a "Letter of No Contact" and mail it.  If she stalks me, and I have this letter in hand, law enforcement will respond and then maybe the Judge will order a "no stalking order" against her! I have been hiding in my home for many days now, afraid to go anywhere.  This whole situation has been a horrible drain on my relationship with my partner, as he is having a very difficult time trying to understand what I am going through.  In fact most "men" think it is no big deal, "if she comes after you "you can kick her ass!', what are you so afraid of?" This attitude is pervasive and includes her current finance controller, whom she has extorted from him over $300,000 since Sept 06'. He is very afraid of losing his money, wife, and children yet does not understand why I cannot come back to work and just let it roll off my back while she relentlessly screams at me and publicly humiliates me before, during and after work, and advises if she comes after me, I should just kick her ass!

I will not return and subject myself to her violent and abusive behavior! I continue to awaken from a sound sleep (on many occasions) at 3:00 a.m. and last night being one of those nights in which I have the feeling of impending doom, and is the reason I finally really took a look at your website and contacted you.  I need support in how to deal with her shamanic witchcraft.  Can you tell me more?

I have handed over many of the statements made by former employees of which are mostly already posted on your website to Dr. Cole in an effort to assist her.  Dr. Cole was severely beaten on several occasions and proof is available.  Again the crux is finding a law firm willing to take the case without a hourly payment of services.  

With all my heart, I hope and pray, the law firm that is currently reviewing her documents will help Dr. Cole recover her losses and/or dignity, as she has no money left after Devra extorted more than $700,000 from her.  

I am aware that the only person still financially supporting Devra (the finance controller is out of money), is Dr. Julio Williams and he gave her $100,000 last week.  Devra spends money so fast that this funding will not last long.  I know she has hoarded all her expensive jewels, artwork and artefacts and in addition I contemplate how much money/jewels she has stashed in order to bail herself out in the event you are able to take her down completely, or if the funding does not come through.

Tanmayo's (coca-cola heiress) son contacted the finance controller yesterday demanding the monies his mother contributed be returned.  This phone call is the straw that broke the camel's back for the finance controller who has finally realized that he can no longer ignore the very bad situation he has gotten himself into by loaning Devra $300,000."

Click on this link to read the email. 

I worked for Ms West in 2002 so a) I know she is running a cult and b) I know she uses the cult to extort money from its members – members like Dr Patricia MD.

Let us hope that, in spite of all the ‘witnesses’ and ‘statements’ West is going to ‘manufacture’ to defend herself with, the justice system will deal with Ms West in the same way it dealt with Warren Jeffs.  Thankfully while the current employees and students continue to read the script presented to them by their cult leader Ms West, AKA Surya Ma, those who have broken away tell an entirely different story!

So for those who still do not see it walking like a duck or quacking like a duck here are some statements – written and audio – from past employees.  Click each of the links to access the file.

1.      Deborah Coffey (one of West’s facilitator’s) admitting that brain washing did/does take place as part of the cult conditioning.

2.      Barbara Costantino (West’s ex personal secretary of 19 months) saying that West lies and rewrites history each time someone leaves in an attempt to cover up her indiscretions!

3.      Ex student / facilitator who recently came forward to say she was forced by West to give a false statement against me.  She was told she would be fired if she did not!

4.      Statement from an ex board member of the charity The Circle of Divine Unity which was struck off by the Montana state government.  The ex board member alleges West stole $80,000 from the charity to pay her son’s legal fees in a child custody battle!

5.      Statement from ex teacher / facilitator who alleges that West abused her and her 6 year old son!

6.      Statement from one of Ms West’s personal assistants about Ms West, the abuse and Ms West’s mental health.

7.      Statement from a student who alleges Ms West extorted $30,000 from him.

8.      Statement from the same student who alleges Ms West beat and extorted money from another student.

9.      A former house, Kathleen Francisco, keeper talking about her pay checks ‘bouncing!’

10.  Same house keeper talking about the cult and how it is used to extract money!

11.  From same housekeeper on the pressure on the staff to join the cult!

12.  From same housekeeper on Ms West bringing in $500,000 for herself not the charity!

13.  From same housekeeper on Ms West’s rages and excessive drinking!

14.  From same housekeeper on West’s belief she is God!

15.  From same housekeeper on West sucking the life out of employees!

16.  A former secretary, Diane Stoner, on West’s abuse of students.

17.  Diane Stoner on Ms West’s contempt for those who gave her money!

18.  Diane on West’s mental illness!

19.  Diane on the constant pressure to give money to so called ‘projects’ that everyone knows will never happen. 

For much more of this go to the ‘Surya Ma Downloads’ page.  And if all of this still does not convince you then click on this link where you can hear Ms West in her own dulcet tones talk candidly about her contempt for people, authority and anyone who gets in her way!

Like I said its a Duck!  Let us hope the judge sees it that way too!

Copyright 2007. John Watson. All rights reserved.