Padma Aon Prakasha

Full Report

Key Points

• Identity and Work: Padma Aon Prakasha, also known as Vikas Sharma, is a spiritual teacher, author, and music producer who promotes teachings blending ancient wisdom, vibrational sound, and modern science. He has published eight books and led retreats in over 25 countries since 1997.

• Allegations: Serious accusations of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse have been made by 17 individuals (15 women, 2 men), detailed in a 2018 article by Be Scofield. Allegations include manipulation, exploitative behavior under the guise of spiritual empowerment, and coercive retreat practices.

• Legal Issues: A 2019 DMCA complaint was filed by an associate, Chris Gold, to remove online content linking to abuse allegations, deemed incoherent by the recipient. Prakasha reached an out-of-court settlement in 2016 with his ex-wife, Anaiya Sophia, over intellectual property theft.

• Reputation: Positive feedback highlights transformative spiritual experiences, while negative feedback centers on abusive behavior and cult-like manipulation. Public perception is polarized, with some praising his teachings and others warning of predatory conduct.

• Risks: High reputational and legal risks due to ongoing allegations and investigations. Financial risks are unclear but tied to potential loss of retreat and book revenue if public trust erodes further.

Overview

Padma Aon Prakasha presents himself as a spiritual guide, wisdom author, and vibrational healer, claiming initiation in Saivite Tantra, Sama Veda, and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Born Vikas Sharma, he describes himself as a child prodigy who read the Bhagavad Gita at age 4 and the Koran and Bible by age 7. His work focuses on feminine spirituality, womb wisdom, and sound healing, with eight books published by major publishers like Simon & Schuster and Inner Traditions. Titles include Womb Wisdom and The Power of Shakti. He has produced music albums for BMG and SubRosa, performed as a DJ, and narrated documentaries like Sounds of the Soul. Since 1997, he has led retreats and pilgrimages to sacred sites in 15 countries, targeting high-level leaders and spiritual seekers. His teachings emphasize energetic transformation, divine love, and vibrational medicine, often marketed as a bridge between ancient traditions and modern science.

Allegations and Concerns

Serious allegations against Prakasha emerged in a 2018 Guru Magazine article by Be Scofield, accusing him of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse over 15 years. Key claims include:

• Abuse Allegations: Fifteen women and two men reported abuse during retreats like “Womb Wisdom” and “The Seven Gates.” Accusations include coercive sexual encounters, with one woman, Ashley Ray (pseudonym), describing an overwhelming and painful physical interaction in 2015. Others allege emotional manipulation, with Prakasha labeling dissenters as having “satanic contracts.”

• Exploitative Practices: Former followers describe retreats as intense, involving arduous chanting, breath work, and “deep states” that left participants vulnerable. Some claim Prakasha exploited women’s spiritual aspirations for sexual and financial gain, targeting those in fragile states.

• Cult-Like Behavior: A 2011 move to Australia to establish the “Aon Sphere” community was allegedly prompted by Prakasha’s apocalyptic predictions. Participants sold belongings and cut social ties, only to rent a luxury home in Byron Bay, raising questions about financial motives.

• Response: Prakasha denied the allegations, claiming they were orchestrated by his ex-wife, Anaiya Sophia, and Scofield, using “black hat” internet tactics like cyberbullying. He offered a public dialogue, which was not accepted.

• Ongoing Investigations: Reports suggest legal investigations in two countries related to the allegations, though specifics are unavailable.

Customer Feedback

Feedback on Prakasha is sharply divided, reflecting his polarizing public image.

Positive Feedback:

• Clients praise his workshops, particularly the “7 I AM Codes” and “Shiva Hologram,” as transformative. One participant said, “Padma’s understanding of Christ Yeshua’s teachings offers a direct pathway to Truth, Love, and God. I feel liberated, joyous, and at peace.”

• A reviewer of Womb Wisdom called it “a profoundly healing read, delightful and offering ancient ways.”

• Supporters describe him as a “clear guiding channel” who simplifies complex mystical traditions, with some claiming his teachings deepened their spiritual connections.

Negative Feedback:

• Victims and former followers report manipulation and abuse. One stated, “He’s on a pathologically driven mission to bed as many women as he can under the guise of ‘empowering’ them.”

• A former member expressed “deep disappointment” over Prakasha’s “abuse of vulnerability, sensitivity, and kindness,” accusing him of exploiting sacred feminine teachings.

• Online comments on platforms like Kiwi Farms criticized his retreat practices as cult-like, with one user noting, “It’s been archived, so his attempts to scrub the allegations won’t work.”

Risk Considerations

• Reputational Risk: The abuse allegations, widely circulated online, severely damage Prakasha’s credibility. Continued exposure could alienate clients and publishers, especially as public awareness of spiritual abuse grows.

• Legal Risk: Ongoing investigations in two countries and the 2016 settlement suggest potential for future lawsuits. The 2019 DMCA complaint indicates attempts to suppress criticism, which could backfire legally if deemed frivolous.

• Financial Risk: Prakasha’s income relies on retreats, books, and music sales. A decline in trust could reduce attendance and sales, though no specific financial data is available.

• Operational Risk: His global retreat model depends on participant trust. Negative publicity may deter attendees, particularly women, who are his primary audience.

• Ethical Risk: Allegations of exploiting vulnerable individuals raise ethical concerns, potentially leading to boycotts or publisher withdrawals.

Business Relations and Associations

• Publishers: Prakasha has worked with reputable publishers like Simon & Schuster, Inner Traditions, North Atlantic Books, and Findhorn Press, lending credibility to his work.

• Collaborators: He has collaborated with Dr. Alex Theory and Kristin Hoffman on the album Souls Birth, and narrated a documentary by Stephen Olsson.

• Ex-Wife: Anaiya Sophia (Julie Cuddihy), a former collaborator, settled out of court in 2016 after allegedly plagiarizing Prakasha’s work. She later contributed to the Guru Magazine article accusing him of abuse.

• Music Industry: Past affiliations include BMG and SubRosa for albums like Rhythmic Intelligence and Song of Light, and a residency at Talvin Singh’s “Anokha” night in London.

• Retreat Leaders: Shekinah Zorenski, the mother of his child, taught retreats based on his teachings, though her current involvement is unclear.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• 2016 Settlement: Prakasha reached an out-of-court settlement with Anaiya Sophia for stealing seven online courses and four books, supported by 125 pages of evidence. This suggests intellectual property disputes but no criminal charges.

• 2019 DMCA Complaint: Chris Gold, representing Prakasha, filed a DMCA notice to remove a Kiwi Farms post linking to abuse allegations. The complaint was criticized as baseless, citing U.S. case law (Perfect 10 v. Google), and raised concerns of abusing copyright law to silence critics.

• Investigations: Alleged legal investigations in two countries were mentioned in 2019, but no outcomes or details are public.

• Financial Status: No records of bankruptcy or unpaid debts were found. His revenue streams include book royalties, retreat fees, and music sales, but exact figures are unavailable.

• Retreat Finances: The 2011 Australia move involved participants selling assets to fund a luxury rental, raising questions about financial transparency.

Risk Assessment Table

Padma Aon Prakasha’s career as a spiritual teacher and author is marked by significant achievements, including published works with major publishers and a global following. His ability to blend ancient wisdom with modern science appeals to spiritual seekers, and positive reviews suggest his teachings resonate deeply with some. However, the gravity of the abuse allegations—corroborated by multiple testimonies—casts a shadow over his legacy. The accusations of manipulation, sexual misconduct, and cult-like behavior are consistent across sources, suggesting a pattern rather than isolated incidents. His attempts to suppress criticism, like the 2019 DMCA complaint, and his ex-wife’s involvement in both collaboration and accusations complicate his narrative.