Famed teachers of buddhism and yoga christie mcnally and michael roach are at the heart of a strange tale of the death of. The death of yoga student ian thorson and the wall of. May 04, 2012 ian thorson, 38, died on the morning of 42212 of apparent dehydration in a cave in southeastern arizona, after having been banished by the administration of nearby diamond mountain university, which is under the leadership of geshe michael roach. Mcnally and thorson s relationship led them both into power with lama christie being acclaimed as retreat master for a second threeyear attempt in the arizona badlands and out of it, when roachs administration evicted them from the retreat in response to evidence that they were engaged in spiritualized domestic violence. Michael roach has lived many lives as an esteemed monk and scholar turned disgraced teacher. Michael roach born december 17, 1952 is an american nontraditional teacher of tibetan buddhism. Ian thorson, died after fleeing a buddhist retreat with his wife christie mcnally, right. Jun 08, 2012 once we do this kind of yoga together, then the next day, when we try to do a series alone, its really, really lonely, ian thorson said in a 2010 video posted on youtube. Mysterious buddhist retreat ends in a grisly death the. As the mcnally thorson relationship flourished, roach turned a page and took a trip to new york. Starting in december 2010 she and 38 other retreat participants pledged to cut off all direct contact with the rest of the planet and meditate under. The official retreat leader at that time was christie mcnally, former spiritual partner of diamond mountain founder geshe michael roach. Death and madness at diamond mountain by scott carney. Lama christie mcnally trained in tibetan monasteries in india and nepal, and received extensive instruction in all the texts required for a geshe degree, which is traditionally a 20year course of study.
Jul 01, 2016 mcnally and thorsons relationship led them both into power with lama christie being acclaimed as retreat master for a second threeyear attempt in the arizona badlands and out of it, when roachs administration evicted them from the retreat in response to evidence that they were engaged in spiritualized domestic violence. How selfimprovement became selfdestruction on diamond. How a yoga and meditation retreat turned cultlike and deadly. Oriented towards the gelugpa school, it was founded by geshe michael roach in 2000 and opened to students in september 2004. Whatever gets unlocked in the meditation chamber, a prayer hall, or a yoga. Mar 17, 2015 i dont think its about ian thorson, christie mcnally, or even michael roach. But those familiar with his background might find this ironic to say the least. May 15, 2012 famed teachers of buddhism and yoga christie mcnally and michael roach are at the heart of a strange tale of the death of mcnally s husband, ian thorson, last month in a desert cave. Untangling the drama at diamond mountain yoga basics. Geshe michael roach, right, and his partner lama christie, left. Ordained as a gelugpa monk, he was the first american to receive the geshe degree at sera monastery in tibet. The death of a second meditator, ian thorson, this time in the mountains of.
Lama christie mcnally and husband ian thorson were at the diamond mountain university great retreat, before an incident in which thorson was stabbed caused them to be removed from the. How selfimprovement became selfdestruction on diamond mountain scott carneys new book unpacks the complicated story of ian thorson, who died in the arizona wilderness after becoming involved. Death at a silent yoga retreat poses obvious reporting. Christie mcnally and michael roach, famed buddhist. Two as one a journey to yoga through decades of study, training, and deep meditation, mcnally and thorson have mastered the practice of partner yoga.
Now, he seems to be pivoting to an unlikely new career pathrelationship expert penning a love advice book in 20 and lecturing on the topic this past weekend at new yorks lincoln center. A journey to yoga by christie mcnally, ian thorson isbn. Unless were viewing that aspect of religion that functions as a sublimating conduit for intergenerational trauma then we might be getting warm. Mysterious buddhist retreat ends in a grisly death the new. Jun 06, 20 mcnally and thorson published a yoga book together called two as one in 2010. Jun 06, 2012 christie mcnally and her husband, ian thorson, were among 39 people who had been living in the huts here as part of an extended yoga retreat. Mcnally later married one of roachs students, ian thorson, on october 3, 2010. When thirtyeightyearold ian thorson died from dehydration and dysentery on a remote arizona mountaintop in 2012, the new york times reported the story under the headline. Nor is the story about tibetan buddhism in particular or religion in general. Jun 06, 2012 geshe michael roach l and christie mcnally hold a yoga session at the hong kong convention and exhibition centre, 02 june 2007. Thorson died after the couple spent two months in a desert cave in southeastern arizona following their eviction from a buddhist retreat. There is a report that christie s mother has quoted christie as saying. The two also wrote a book on yoga together, which roach endorsed.
In february 2012, while still leading the retreat, mcnally confessed how she stabbed her husband ian thorson three times. Case closed in death of former participant at buddhist retreat. The retreat, called diamond mountain university, is meant to help train people in the ways of budha, and how those ways lead to financial prosperity, according to the new york times. Apr 30, 2016 newlyweds christie mcnally and ian thorson practiced a yoga pose as newly divorced geshe michael sat in the background. Diamond mountain is a tibetan buddhist seminary and retreat center located south of bowie, arizona in the chihuahuan desert. Christie mcnally and michael roach, famed buddhist teachers, in.
When the public learned of 38yearold ian thorsons death in a cave in the arizona. A journey to yoga, before they depart for europe on a global tour and then. A journey to yoga by christie mcnally 20111116 christie mcnally. Through her efforts, she has begun to change the face of buddhism that has historically been predominantly male.
He has started a number of businesses and organizations, written books. This was a couple who thought they could live off the land. Roach published an open letter stating that mcnally admitted in february 2012 to a violation of the terms under which students are. Two as one is a revolutionary concept which gives each. Ian thorson was a close student of roach and mcnally and served as their. As the mcnallythorson relationship flourished, roach turned a page and took a trip to new york. He and his wife had been kicked out of a silent buddhist retreat that was supposed. Nor is the story about tibetan buddhism in particular, or religion in general. Death and madness at diamond mountain by scott carney geshe. A journey to yoga di mcnally, christie, thorson, ian. A journey to yoga integrates philosophy and yoga techniques from many timehonored disciplines to create a synergistic experience for two yoga partners working together. Mar 10, 2014 i was planning to ask the guru some questions about ian thorsons death, about the goddess, christie mcnally, and about the allegations by former followers that he was a shyster. All proceeds from the book will be donated to support more than 50 people.
The striking thing about the tale isnt how ian thorson died he and his wife christie mcnally had left their small retreat and he apparently died of dehydration, not any kind of foul play. The death of yoga student ian thorson and the wall of meditative. I dont think its about ian thorson, christie mcnally, or even michael roach. Ian thorson came to prominence when he died in 2012 on a. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. Police in rural arizona are investigating the mysterious death of a yoga student who spent two months living. Strange death at diamond mountain buddhist center raises. Christie mcnally, noted buddhist teacher, and ian thorson pose for a book promo shot. A journey to yoga christie mcnally, ian thorson on.
When the public learned of 38yearold ian thorson s death in a cave in the arizona desert three years ago, the details behind the tragedy were both jarring and ominously familiar. Christie mcnally and her husband, ian thorson, were among 39 people who had been living in the huts here as part of an extended yoga retreat. The dismissal came from the diamond mountain board of directors after allegations of physical abuse were made. The thorson family is starting to talk to the media. According to the letter, mcnally openly addressed issues of mutual spousal abuse at a meeting held in february. They camped in the aizona mountains where thorson died of exposure and dehydration. He has started a number of businesses and organizations, written books about buddhism, and translated tibetan buddhist teachings. However, speculation has risen after rescuers found christie mcnally and her husband, ian thorson. Once we do this kind of yoga together, then the next day, when we try to do a series alone, its really, really lonely, ian thorson said in a 2010 video posted on youtube. Understanding the dark side of enlightenment on diamond.
Christie mcnally and michael roach, famed buddhist teachers. Famed teachers of buddhism and yoga christie mcnally and michael roach are at the heart of a strange tale of the death of mcnally s husband, ian thorson, last month in. Christie mcnally a copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Unless were viewing that aspect of religion that functions as a sublimating conduit for intergenerational traumathen we might be getting warm. How a yoga and meditation retreat turned cultlike and deadly by march 18, 2015 march 19, 2015 written by laura miller salon march 18, 2015 march 19, 2015. Thorsons wife, lama christie mcnally, was rescued from the death scene by helicopter. Mar 18, 2015 how selfimprovement became selfdestruction on diamond mountain scott carneys new book unpacks the complicated story of ian thorson, who died in the arizona wilderness after becoming involved. Ian thorson, 38, died on the morning of 42212 of apparent dehydration in a cave in southeastern arizona, after having been banished by the administration of nearby diamond mountain university, which is under the leadership of geshe michael roach. Two as one is a revolutionary concept which gives each partner. Famed teachers of buddhism and yoga christie mcnally and michael.
Mysterious buddhist retreat in the desert ends in a grisly death. When ian thorson was discovered dead in a cave in 2012, an unflinching light was shone on the strange world of tibertan buddhistsespecially its leader michael roach. Mcnally was appointed as the retreat director and guiding teacher. Thorson s wife, lama christie mcnally, was rescued from the death scene by helicopter. Mcnally and thorson published a yoga book together called two as one in 2010. A journey to yoga by christie mcnally and ian thorson, published november 16, 2011 for 14 months mcnally led one of the most ambitious meditation retreats in the western world. Christie mcnally was his lover and his lama, the enlightened being who had. Buddhist partnership ends in divorce, remarriage, and now. Geshe michael roach l and christie mcnally hold a yoga session at the hong kong convention and exhibition centre, 02 june 2007. There are reports that christie mcnally was last seen in kathmandu, trying to secure a private audience with her first teacher, lama zopa rinpoche. Ian thorson was a close student of roach and mcnally and served as their attendant. I was planning to ask the guru some questions about ian thorson s death, about the goddess, christie mcnally, and about the allegations by former followers that. Yoga with ian provides a warm, friendly and relaxed approach to learning yoga and meditation. Providing classes, workshops and retreates across norfolk, suffolk and essex.
In 2012, ian thorson was found dead in a cave in arizona. For the past two months, christie mcnally and her husband, ian thorson. Jun 07, 2012 the death of yoga student ian thorson and the wall of meditative silence that met police. An investigative reporter explores an infamous case where an obsessive and unorthodox search for enlightenment went terribly wrong. The death of yoga student ian thorson and the wall of meditative silence that met police. Apr 14, 2017 when ian thorson was discovered dead in a cave in 2012, an unflinching light was shone on the strange world of tibertan buddhistsespecially its leader michael roach. Two as one a journey to yoga through decades of study, training, and deep meditation, mcnally and thorson have mastered the practice o. In 2010, one year after the dissolution of her marriage to roach, mcnally married thorson. Jun 29, 2012 there are reports that christie mcnally was last seen in kathmandu, trying to secure a private audience with her first teacher, lama zopa rinpoche. This will be a rare opportunity to practice yoga with lama christie mcnally and ian thorson, coauthors of two as one.
Sex and death on the road to nirvana rolling stone. Roach published an open letter stating that mcnally admitted in february 2012 to a violation of the terms under which students are allowed to reside at the center, and the diamond. There is a report that christies mother has quoted christie as saying. No one is sure how long 38yearold ian thorson and his 39yearold wife, christie mcnally, had been living in the cave, but when responders got there, they discovered thorson s lifeless body, and.
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