Editing Universal Medicine (section)

== Beliefs and teachings ==

Benhayon's [[Alice Bailey#Esoteric healing|esoteric healing]] belief system is based on the occult teachings of early 20th century theosophist [[Alice A. Bailey]].<ref name="The Da Vinci Mode">{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/the-da-vinci-mode-20120819-24h50 |title=The Da Vinci Mode |last1=Leser |first1=David |date=25 August 2012 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515100544/http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/the-da-vinci-mode-20120824-24h50 |archive-date=15 May 2015 |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=22 January 2018}}
* {{cite web |title=The Da Vinci Mode |url=http://davidleser.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/davinci-mode.pdf |website=David Leser}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bailey |first1=Alice A. |title=Esoteric Healing Vol IV (A Treatise on the Seven Rays) |date=1953 |publisher=Lucifer Press/Lucis Press}}</ref><ref name="AWW"/> Serge Benhayon has claimed to be the reincarnation of [[Leonardo da Vinci]] and [[Pythagoras]] as well as Alice A. Bailey, [[Imhotep]] and [[Saint Peter]].<ref name="fabic"/><ref name=":16"/> He has written that Leonardo da Vinci is a "Claimed Son of God" and teaches that he is connected energetically to an ancient lineage of "living wisdom", and more "High [[Ascended master#Origins|Initiates]]" and Claimed Sons of God will reincarnate "over and over again until each and every single human is united as one, by their true light".<ref name="The Da Vinci Mode"/> Benhayon also claims that his daughter, Simone, a swimming teacher and head of Universal Medicine UK, is the reincarnation of [[Winston Churchill]].<ref name=":41">{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-47485167 |title=Mother 'lost' to burping bad spirits cult |date=10 March 2019 |work=BBC News |location=UK |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="Private Eye 1359">{{cite news |title=Quacks in the system |date=7 February 2014 |work=[[Private Eye]] |issue=1359 |location=UK |pages=33 |url=https://archive.today/249hg/c7fdb1f96c488d5b46c5de2968a8142c7fe3652b.jpg |format=JPG}}</ref><ref name="May 2020"/>

Serge Benhayon devised Universal Medicine's healing practices based on the belief that disease is caused by energetic disharmony resulting from ill choices made in this and previous lifetimes. Benhayon teaches that there are two types of energy: [[prana]] ({{lang|sa|प्राण}}, {{IAST|prāṇa}}; [[Sanskrit]] for [[Energy (esotericism)|life force]]) and fire.<ref name="The Da Vinci Mode"/> Most forms of established wisdom, knowledge and belief, as well as most music and certain foods are believed to contain prana, which he regards as evil.<ref name="MOprana">{{cite news |url=http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/concerns-raised-over-prana-treatment |title=Concerns raised over 'prana' treatment |date=30 July 2012 |work=Medical Observer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801231553/https://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/concerns-raised-over-prana-treatment |archive-date=1 August 2012 |url-status=dead |location=Australia |url-access=registration}}</ref> Prana is to be rejected or cleared to be replaced with "fiery energy" which emanates from the "Atmic womb of God". Universal Medicine healing modalities and products, including teas, herbal elixirs, creams and laminated healing symbol postcards, aim to clear prana.<ref name="The Da Vinci Mode"/><ref name="SMH"/>
{{Quote box
 |quote  = "I know more than any scientist in my inner heart ... I know everything about the universe and how it works. I can answer any question about any mystery in the world, any mystery in the universe."
 |source = Serge Benhayon's message for the "New Era", January 1, 2012<ref name="The Da Vinci Mode"/>
 |width  = 25%
 |align  = right
}}

Benhayon teaches that people who abuse their authority, such as dictators and corrupt politicians, are reincarnated as children with disabilities "as are Down syndrome, as are [[Cerebral palsy|spastic]],(sic) or any other disabled child" and claims disabilities such as [[Autism]] and [[Down syndrome]] are karma for past life sins.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/disabled-jibe-appalling-former-mayor-slams-healer/3564026/ |title=Disabled jibe 'appalling': Former mayor slams UM 'healer' |last=Turner |first=Liana |date=1 November 2018 |work=Northern Star |location=NSW |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="charlatan">{{cite news |url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/universal-medicine-cult-founder-exposed-as-charlatan/news-story/626fe650621ee65ba16b1a7af2f62aa7 |title=Universal Medicine cult founder exposed as 'charlatan' |last=Deutrom |first=Rhian |date=18 February 2019 |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Corp Australia}}</ref> He has also controversially stated on many occasions that sexual abuse, including that towards children, is karma from past lives and the universe attempting to stop a person from continuing to make non-loving choices.<ref name=":41"/><ref name="TelegraphBullied"/>

He also teaches that illness is caused by the [[Spirit possession|possession]] of the body by evil spirits, and is reported to have told a terminally ill patient that an evil spirit had entered her liver and kidneys.<ref name="The Da Vinci Mode"/> He reportedly teaches couples that when a man orgasms inside a woman she will take on his bad energy and he has said that if a possessed entity is of a sexual nature then they can invade a father's body and while he sleeps at night leave his body and rape his daughters.<ref name=":37">{{Cite episode |title=The Cult {{!}} International investigation into Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkSQTMHJK4c |series=Sunday Night |first1=Matt |last1=Doran |first2=Stephen |last2=Rice |network=Seven Network TV Australia |date=17 February 2019 |transcript=Episode overview |transcript-url=https://7news.com.au/sunday-night/this-guy-is-a-predator-the-international-investigation-into-australian-cult-leader-serge-benhayon-c-15060}}</ref>

On race he writes that skin colour evolution was a conscious choice and that Asians chose yellow skin, saying: "yellow signifies the intellect" and the "pursuit of a lighter complexion arose when [[Black skin|Black]] (sic) became erroneously identified with the [[Darkness#Religion|Darkness]] (sic)".<ref name="TelegraphBullied"/> He taught his followers that if their children misspent their inheritance, or if they set conditions on their donations to UM, their "kidney energy" could be harmed in the next life.<ref name=":21">{{Cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-05/universal-medicine-cult-preyed-on-cancer-victim-jury-finds/10381432 |title='We've been vindicated': Relief as jury finds 'socially dangerous cult' preyed on cancer victim |last=Robertson |first=Josh |date=5 November 2018 |work=ABC News |location=Australia}}
* {{cite AV media |title='We've been vindicated': Relief as jury finds 'socially dangerous cult' preyed on cancer victim |publisher=ABC News |location=Australia |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0pa_da3_9Y |via=YouTube}}</ref>

During a sermon in September 2017, Benhayon stated he could "orgasm as a [[Intersex#Hermaphrodite|hermaphrodite]] (sic)", claiming he had the ability to "orgasm like a woman" and ejaculate as a man simultaneously.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://abc.net.au/news/2018-04-16/warning:-explicit-content---universal-medicine-sex/9653700 |title=WARNING: Explicit content - Universal Medicine sex seminar |date=16 April 2018 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620235947/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-16/warning:-explicit-content---universal-medicine-sex/9653700 |archive-date=20 June 2018}}
* {{cite AV media |title=Unpacking Universal Medicine Episode 1 - Mystifying Sex |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm1N4XIN2P4&t=100 |time=1:40-2:42 |publisher=ABC News |location=Australia |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":4"/>

Universal Medicine and The Way of the Livingness has followers in Australia, the UK, North America and Europe.<ref name="The Da Vinci Mode"/> Critics have characterised it as a [[cult]], which has left a "trail of broken families".<ref name="NewsComAU"/><ref name="SMH"/><ref name="ABC">{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/07/23/3551582.htm |title=Controversial health provider under investigation |work=ABC North Coast |date=23 July 2012 |location=NSW Australia |author=Turnbull, S. |author2=MacKenzie, B.}}</ref><ref name="NREcho"/> An ex-partner of a Universal Medicine supporter complained that Benhayon "controlled every aspect of our lives".<ref name="TelegraphControl"/> Benhayon, who is reportedly referred to as a "fifth degree [[Ascended master#Origins|initiate]]" and "The One", rejects these claims.<ref name="SMH"/><ref name="NREcho">{{cite news |url=http://www.echonews.com.au/news/healer-denies-cult-claims/1479639/ |title=Healer denies cult claims |last=Encalada |first=Javier |date=26 July 2012 |work=Lismore Echo |location=NSW}}</ref><ref name="MensConference"/> According to the Chilling Effects website and other sources he has used legal threats to have cult allegations, including those within media reports, removed from Australian [[Google Search]] indexes.<ref name="ChillingEffects">{{cite web |url=https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/893962# |author=Phoenix Global via Chilling Effects |date=14 January 2013 |title=Infringement Notification via Websearch Complaint |work=[[Chilling Effects]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101055056/https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/893962 |archive-date=1 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="doubtful">{{cite web |url=http://doubtfulnews.com/2014/12/web-pages-including-ours-deemed-critical-of-universal-medicine-removed-from-google-search-results/ |title=Web pages, including ours, deemed "critical" of Universal Medicine removed from Google Search results |date=31 December 2014 |work=Doubtful News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210045930/http://doubtfulnews.com/2014/12/web-pages-including-ours-deemed-critical-of-universal-medicine-removed-from-google-search-results/ |archive-date=10 December 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The organisation has at least seven lawyers as members and officially denies it is a cult.<ref name="AWW"/><ref name=":43"/> But when ''Australian Doctor'' questioned Amelia Stephens, a UM member and a Brisbane doctor, she responded "This depends on what your definition of a cult is".<ref name="stephens">{{Cite web |url=https://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/senior-racgp-figure-defends-involvement-fringe-alternative-medicine-group |title=Senior RACGP figure defends involvement with fringe alternative medicine group |last1=Wright |first1=Jocelyn |last2=Smith |first2=Paul |date=17 April 2018 |website=Australian Doctor Group |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/XCqri/7910bd22e2f511918f82384083ec2983d2b7c764 |archive-date=2018-12-24}}</ref><ref name=":4"/>

Benhayon and other senior UM members have a history of calling the police on journalists, and claim to be victims of a media witch hunt and smear campaign.<ref name=":41"/><ref name="signs"/><ref name=":37"/><ref name=":04"/> The group's devotees and practitioners reportedly inundate media organisations who publish stories about UM with angry letters and written complaints and denounce those in the media who critique them as "irresponsible journalists".<ref name="MOInsideUM"/><ref name="EyeLam"/><ref name="TelegraphBullied"/><ref name=":36">{{Cite news |url=https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/scientists-accused-of-promoting-cult-that-touts-esoteric-breast-massage-after-study-published/all/ |title=Scientists Accused Of Promoting 'Cult' After Study Published |last=Luntz |first=Stephen |date=17 April 2018 |website=IFLScience}}</ref><ref name=":04"/> UK based director Simone Benhayon coordinates and instructs followers to post favourable comments online at least five or more times a day, with exceptions for those European members who recently had a "time travel experience".<ref name="May 2020">{{Cite news |last=Drill |first=Stephen |date=2020-05-24 |title=Universal Medicine: Simone Benhayon instructed members of alleged cult |work=Gold Coast Bulletin |location=Qld, Australia |url=https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/national/universal-medicine-simone-benhayon-instructed-members-of-alleged-cult/news-story/410cfedc9ab13fef05ddbae0f2189600 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200524094740/https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/national/universal-medicine-simone-benhayon-instructed-members-of-alleged-cult/news-story/410cfedc9ab13fef05ddbae0f2189600 |archive-date=24 May 2020 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Devotees created the company 'Real Media Real Change' to combat unfavourable media coverage as well as the Universal Medicine 'Facts' website by the UM 'Facts Team' to combat UM critics.<ref name=":28"/><ref name=":26"/><ref name="scam"/><ref name=":5"/> Serge Benhayon is the registrant of this 'Facts about Universal Medicine' website.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/serge-benhayon-not-a-charlatan-court-told/3541129/ |title=Serge Benhayon not a 'charlatan', court told |last=McKeith |first=Sam |date=4 October 2018 |website=The Daily Examiner |location=Grafton NSW |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=":43">{{Cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/university-of-queensland-medical-faculty-members-linked-to-healing-cult/ |title=University of Queensland Medical Faculty Members Linked to Healing 'Cult' |last=VICE Staff |date=16 April 2018 |work=Vice.com - Australia Today}}</ref> UM labels non-believers as "detractors" with senior UM members claiming that these detractors are really afraid of them.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-15/universal-medicine-health-studies-wont-be-pulled-by-uq/10896690 |title=Qld university stands by health studies done by devotees of 'dangerous cult' |last=Robertson |first=Josh |date=15 March 2019 |work=ABC News |publisher=abc.net.au}}</ref><ref name="MensConference"/><ref name=":37"/> In 2019 the Supreme Court published that "evidence (was) tendered in the proceedings that there had been significant and persistent opposition to attempts to expose (UM's) bogus healing claims and practices, often involving personal and professional attacks on any critics... There are problems associated with (Benhayon's) ongoing zealous support, including from health professionals who evidence a lack of insight into the dangers of Universal Medicine activities, the deceptive conduct engaged in by (Benhayon) and Universal Medicine, and the risk that (Benhayon) poses to vulnerable people."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/5c775896e4b0196eea404c21 |title=Benhayon v Rockett (No 9) [2019] NSWSC 172 |last=Supreme Court of New South Wales |date=28 February 2019 |website=www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au |publisher=NSW Caselaw}}</ref>

Followers claim to be members of UM, which they assert is "like a religion" but Benhayon contradicted this saying he ran a business with clients and that there is "no group and no members".<ref name="MensConference"/> Benhayon's doctrine "The Way of the Livingness" is one which he currently operates under his Universal Medicine business and is a 'form of [[Theosophy (Blavatskian)#Definition|theosophy]]'.<ref name=":10"/><ref name="UKCC"/> It was denied charitable status in the UK in 2011 as it did not meet the criteria of a genuine religion and is not registered as a [[religion in Australia]].<ref name="CCWayOfLivingness">{{cite web |url=http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/livingness-fails-obtain-charitable-status/governance/article/1090743 |title=Way of the Livingness fails to obtain charitable status |last=Wiggins |first=Kaye |date=12 September 2011 |work=Third Sector |location=UK |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000116/http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/livingness-fails-obtain-charitable-status/governance/article/1090743 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="UKCC">{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-way-of-the-livingness-the-religion-of-the-soul-trust/the-way-of-the-livingness-the-religion-of-the-soul-trust-charity-commission-decision |title=The Way of the Livingness, The Religion of the Soul Trust: Charity Commission decision |author=Gov.UK |date=24 August 2011 |publisher=Charity Commission of England & Wales}}</ref><ref name=":00">{{Cite news |url=https://northernstar.com.au/news/how-um-hits-back-back-at-tabloid-tv-scrutiny/3654423/ |title=UM hits back at media |last=Turner |first=Liana |date=22 February 2019 |work=Northern Star |location=NSW |url-access=subscription}}</ref> [[Helena Blavatsky]] - the founder of the [[Theosophy (Blavatskian)#Definition|19th century theosophy]] that Benhayon's doctrine is based on - insists that is not a religion.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Madame Blavatsky: the mother of modern spirituality |author=Lachman, Gary |date=2012 |publisher=Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin |isbn=9781585428632 |location=New York |oclc=776538868}}</ref>

Critics say Universal Medicine places unreasonable pressure on followers to adhere to a severely restricted diet and to avoid most exercise for fear those things might "infect their spiritual alignment" and lead to poor health.<ref name="MOInsideUM"/> After reviewing a diet chart from Universal Medicine, the Professor of Public Health at the [[University of Wollongong]] and former president of the Public Health Association of Australia Heather Yeatman said it was "a public health issue" when children were placed on such restrictive diets: "If a child is not having dairy or cereals they are likely to be low in energy intake and there could be the risk of stunting if children are not getting enough energy. It is critically important there is a balanced diet, especially at the weaning stage because it can impact overall growth and cognitive development. It's a public health issue." This came after the report of a baby of UM member parents was hospitalised due to diet-related illness.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/news-story/0bda4d34cca49375f852c4053fe4cc32 |title=Court rules Universal Medicine founder is running a 'harmful cult' |last1=Hansen |first1=Jane |date=21 October 2018 |newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph |publisher=News Corp |url-access=subscription}}
* {{cite web |title=Court rules Universal Medicine founder is running a 'harmful cult' |author=Jane Hansen |newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph |date=October 20, 2018 |url=https://www.cultnews101.com/2018/10/court-rules-universal-medicine-founder.html |via=Cult101}}</ref><ref name=":37"/>

Followers are reportedly told health problems result from wrongdoings in their past lives.<ref name="MOinvestigation"/> Cult Counselling Australia director Raphael Aron said his organisation had a researcher working full time on Universal Medicine after counselling former clients who were concerned about its influence on their children.<ref name="CourierMail">{{cite news |last=Robertson |first=Josh |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/archive/news/esoteric-healer-serge-benhayon-plans-college-of-universal-medicine-in-goonellabah/news-story/f0dfd0faaeb7dcf6643c7a964a3b0a7d |title='Esoteric healer' Serge Benhayon plans College of Universal Medicine in Goonellabah |work=The Courier Mail |date=2012-09-15 |location=Brisbane |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200720005133/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/archive/news/esoteric-healer-serge-benhayon-plans-college-of-universal-medicine-in-goonellabah/news-story/f0dfd0faaeb7dcf6643c7a964a3b0a7d |archive-date=20 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref> Aron said CCA had also counselled breakaway followers, who were still "battling" to withdraw emotionally from the group.<ref name="NewsComAU"/> He also says:

:UM seems to be "exercising a level of mind control to the point where people submit to whatever this fellow seems to be offering, to their detriment... What he's doing is potentially very dangerous".<ref name="MOInsideUM"/>

Benhayon denies he or the group interfere in "the students" personal lives but detractors say relationships become impossible when everything from music to sex must be "Serge-approved".<ref name="SMHabsurd"/> Cult expert David Millikan was quoted as saying "[Mr Benhayon] knows what they should read, what they should wear, what they should eat, how they should exercise, what sort of sexual life they should have and so they end up in this closed world".<ref name=":22">{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-10/universal-medicine-emails-with-dying-cancer-patient-released/10474294 |title=Universal Medicine follower's daughter releases private emails between mother and 'cult' leader |last1=Robertson |first1=Josh |date=10 November 2018 |work=ABC News |location=Australia}}
* {{cite AV media |title=Private emails cast light on 'cult leader' who jury found 'preys on cancer victims' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUl-Ze67VQU |publisher=ABC News |location=Australia |via=YouTube}}</ref> The NSW Supreme Court found the statements that Benhayon "is sexually manipulative of his cult followers" and "engages in bizarre sexual manipulation to make money for his business" to be true imputations.<ref name=":18"/>

===Music===
Benhayon asserts that music such as [[Rock music|rock]], [[reggae]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[funk]], rap and the work of [[Johann Sebastian Bach|J.S. Bach]] contain the "pranic energy" that his followers must abstain from.<ref name=":44">{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/spiritual-healer-defends-ridiculous-teachings-at-t/3515164/ |title=Spiritual healer defends 'ridiculous' teachings at trial |last=McKeith |first=Sam |date=7 September 2018 |work=The Daily Examiner |location=Grafton NSW |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Taught to reject other forms of music, UM followers commit to in-house esoteric or 'glorious' Benhayon-approved music, such as that by Miranda and Michael Benhayon or the official UM musician Chris James.<ref name="AWW">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/the-australian-womens-weekly/20190325/page/48/textview |title=Inside the medical cult destroying Aussie lives |last1=Chenery |first1=Susan |date=25 March 2019 |magazine=Australian Women's Weekly |publisher=Bauer Media |edition=April 2019 |pages=48–52 |via=Press Reader}}
* {{cite magazine |last1=Chenery |first1=Susan |title=The Universal Lie |magazine=Australian Women's Weekly |url=https://docdro.id/BoG4hxT |via=DocDroid}}</ref><ref name="The Da Vinci Mode"/> [[WFMU]] music critic Micah Moses says tracks from the UM record label Glorious Music are "contemporary faux urban pop" and "imitation mainstream dreck" that are mostly "unplayable" and "dreadfully bad".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wfmu.org/flashplayer.php?version=3&show=88529&archive=177838 |title=Music Of Mind Control with Micah |last=Moses |first=Micah |date=24 September 2019 |website=WFMU |format=mp3 |time=37.15 - 53.15}}
* {{cite web |title=Music Of Mind Control with Micah: Playlist from September 24, 2019 |url=http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/88529 |website=WFMU}}</ref>