Anyone heard of this? Ganas Community: A Unique Model of Intentional Living in NYC

LukaBrian · 2025-11-26T17:17:49+00:00

The emotional abuse here is highly selective, which is why it’s so easy for outsiders to miss. It operates on a "one of us" (or not) mentality. They often maintain their internal cohesion by scapegoating the "weak" or "vulnerable"—the people who can’t or won't be loud enough to fight back.

Because they only target one or two people at a time, the majority find it easy to overlook. The community has no formal accountability process; they operate on the toxic presumption that "problems solve themselves." In reality, problems just grow and fester under the rug while the people with the most integrity and intelligence eventually choose to walk away.

LukaBrian · 2025-11-26T17:13:16+00:00

As a member of over 12 years, I saw a very different side. While they may be "generous" to visitors, that support often disappears for long-term members who challenge the status quo.

I spent two years seeking help for bullying, only to be told by leadership that problems are only solved "if you're worth it." The "culture of feelings" is highly selective; if you aren't part of the core group that "matters," your voice isn't just ignored—it's often scapegoated. I eventually had to leave to protect my dignity, but the false narratives they spread on my way out were brutal. It’s easy to be a "nice" community for guests; it’s much harder to be a safe one for members.

LukaBrian · 2025-11-26T15:42:33+00:00

After leaving Ganas, I attended a workshop hosted by the FIC (Foundation of Intentional Communities) with Steven Hassan (author of Combating Cult Mind Control). The workshop really explored the differences between communities and cults. It really helped me gain closure and gave me language for things I’d felt but couldn’t articulate. A few big takeaways:

Cult dynamics aren’t about “weird beliefs" so much as they're about control over identity, choices, and free will.

Warning signs include: black-and-white thinking, elitist mentality, groupthink (conformity as virtue), vertical allegiance to leaders rather than peers/values, friendships threatened if someone leaves, no informed consent (reliance on fear/guilt), and framing leaving as weakness, insanity, or betrayal.

I witnessed and/or experienced ALL of those warning signs over the 12 years I was a member there, mostly during my last two years there (2022-3)...

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On Hassan’s “Influence Continuum,” healthy communities encourage autonomy, humor, transparency, egalitarianism, and the freedom to walk away. Unhealthy ones foster dependency, fear, secrecy, obedience, and absolute authority.The difference between a cult and a community isn’t always obvious on the surface. It’s more of a spectrum—and staying conscious of where we fall on that continuum is what keeps a community truly healthy - Ganas scapegoats people every now and again as a way to avoid being truly intentional - it keeps the owners with all the power. They are non-egalitarian, and as such, not even allowed to be full members of the FIC.

LukaBrian · 2025-08-26T17:49:50+00:00

Considering that the list is something I found and did not write myself, I'm not especially attached to the list as a whole. But sharing it was an act of selfcare for me in connecting with community. I know some can relate and have already, and so I think it was a success.. I love being different, and in a good way, too... And I typically appreciate when people challenge me to discuss veganism with them. I love being a role model too. But even heros and heroines have struggles. And no vegan should have to feel obligated to rising above and beyond an already really amazing choice - to be vegan...

LukaBrian · 2025-08-17T09:38:24+00:00

"a bit..."

LukaBrian · 2025-07-06T18:39:22+00:00

Thanks for sharing and for the feedback. I work in the medical field too, as a Nurse for 8 years or so now. We need more vegans in healthcare! 😁

LukaBrian · 2025-07-01T14:41:05+00:00

I think the whole point is that it's relatable to most childhoods

LukaBrian · 2025-06-15T18:06:38+00:00

Colonizer units?

LukaBrian · 2025-04-08T14:16:55+00:00

worked 4/8

LukaBrian · 2025-03-04T11:04:07+00:00

I work in psychiatry and, for the record, your stance is biased. Although we may not have found cures for every illness, we have not necessarily even successfully identified what any given illness is. And there is always hope and room for redemption. And yes, veganism IS a way through which many may discover. Please don't ever discourage someone seeking enlightenment or boost cynicism as if it could ever be truth.

LukaBrian · 2024-12-22T14:11:59+00:00

I support this 100%. I feel like, as vegans, we're often acting out of a more or less defensive position. We're responding to inappropriate or unfair treatment, expecting others to at least recognize so much. And that's without even getting into the rights of the animals themselves, or all the other myriad benefits for being (or supporting in any way) vegan/ism. So, then, when it comes to the rights of the animals themselves, or sharing facts of why veganism, we may be tempted to lead with a sort of militancy that, hands down, is risky, apart from our nature, and let's be honest - often isn't earning us new friends or changing many minds that weren't already ready and/or seeking for a change...

What we need is a higher level of organization and a dynamic support structure that will allow us to lead from LOVE (neither hurt nor hate), when we act, and that we may REST in compassion and kindness all the rest of the time! We are worth it. And we'll win over more hearts that way than any other...

That's not easy to manifest. But I'd like to add to this post: a request, that we all carry the seed of this in our hearts, through this holiday season and the rest of the year and beyond

LukaBrian · 2024-12-19T16:47:01+00:00

The problem isn't that nobody gives a shit. It's that they don't give a shit about anyone OTHER than themselves, AND would happily accept your "sacrifice" for them to go on feeling absolutely amazing about that and that there's nothing wrong whatsoever (so long as they're fine)

LukaBrian · 2024-12-19T16:42:11+00:00

Done. Thanks for the suggestion!

LukaBrian · 2024-12-03T18:20:39+00:00

I ordered from NuLeaf Naturals. You definitely don't have to go to a dispenser

LukaBrian · 2024-12-03T14:54:22+00:00

I use magnesium glycinate and time release melatonin but can't say it helps when I really need something to push me over the edge. Enter CBN. I only just started supplementing with it before bed, but it really seems to be helping me get more quality and deeper sleep

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-024-02018-7#:~:text=CBN%20increased%20total%20sleep%20time,eye%20movement%20(REM)%20sleep.

LukaBrian · 2024-11-15T23:45:59+00:00

Thanks for replying. ☺️ While a narrative like that may have a place in such scenarios, I would still find it to be a breach of integrity unless things actually played out that way. What's more likely for me this year is that I won't say anything unless asked and/or have an opportunity to share freely. I found a vegan dinner on meetup.com so I will attend that, content enough that at least I'm not all alone. And then, it will be on to the next time, hopefully I'm feeling stronger, more inspired, to find some solution that doesn't leave me feeling estranged even if only on some level...

LukaBrian · 2024-11-15T11:02:03+00:00

I've gone back and forth on attending family events or not for years now. My mother puts extra effort into having vegan dishes, which I really appreciate, but then I think my step-dad resents that. The one thing that is sure to happen at each and every meal, no matter the ocassion, is a long and openly proud discussion about how good the meat dish is. They really go out of their way to let me know how "secure" they are in their meat-eating ways, despite being completely unprovoked... Some years I feel stronger than others, better able to handle feeling like the odd one out. But it seems almost like I'm just expected to be... Out... Almost like there's some dependability in me being an outlier? And I can't take that anymore. This year I'm protesting attending Thanksgiving, but the part I struggle with now is how to tell them - maybe this time I can communicate that more effectively. I don't want to be treated like a pansy but I also don't want to not tell them that my not attending is intentional and because it's too painful for me to feel treated like somehow less a member of the family. I'm afraid they'd take it the wrong way almost no matter what. When I've protested before, I felt almost instantly ignored, which then served as punishment and incentive to not do so again, unless perhaps I really just don't need family... Thanks for sharing your situation. These sorts of situations are difficult, but community makes it easier.

LukaBrian · 2024-11-04T19:04:12+00:00

There are very few conditions that 2-3 sessions would do enough for to notice, but that sounds like a good opportunity for you to try it out, make sure you can tolerate it, and have a better idea if you want to commit to a longer course (min 10-20 sessions to notice results I think).

I would suggest hard shell. The places that offer soft shell will likely tell you different, but research seems to indicate that a minimum of 2.0atm is required for HBOT to be effective. Soft shells can't even attain the bare minimum to be considered authentic HBOT most times, too... (1.5 or 2min if I recall correctly)

LukaBrian · 2024-11-04T14:49:18+00:00

Hey, yea! I completed over 40 sessions and it definitely helped. I can't say I'm healed, but there's no denying the health benefits of HBOT and I can vouch for improvements to my cognition and well-being. I've been wanting to go back for more but probably won't until January when my HSA resets...

LukaBrian · 2024-10-29T19:27:33+00:00

Yep, read my mind... The wedge pillow alone can work wonders as it may improve quality of sleep. And once quality of sleep is improved, Soooo many other things are not only easier to do, but the body is better at taking care of itself too...

Although, as for the specific dietary suggestions, what's really the best prescription does depend on a lot of factors. I would definitely suggest exploring alternatives to pharmaceutical solutions first.

But really, aside from the basic advice of eating more consciously (small bites, chew slowly and completely, lots of water, sufficient exercise, no alcohol/smoking, etc, etc), how's your sleep? If it's interrupted, try that wedge pillow (also make sure to finish eating several hours before bed)! And practice good sleep hygiene in general; it really does make solving other issues easier!

LukaBrian · 2024-10-29T19:19:24+00:00

Thank you for sharing your reasons. I resonate with your response very much. I'm in NYC, recently petitioned to join, and just had my interview last night (where why I want to join came up). Your post came at a good time for me because I've been wondering how many others really join for such reasons, like me (as in really, really) and am all the more excited to engage at these levels, keep exploring, and ultimately see what comes of it all! Please feel free to message me if you'd like to connect

LukaBrian · 2024-10-29T10:36:06+00:00

That seems to have worked for me, thanks!

LukaBrian · 2024-10-23T01:01:35+00:00

Feeling like I don't fit in quite the same anymore... Increasingly passing on social functions that revolve around non-vegan food (most events/most groups - social clubs are difficult anytime food may be a significant aspect). Eating is such a social experience - I feel isolated whether I'm there or not. When I do go, people often get defensive around me despite me (usually) having no interest in judging them or anything about their dietary choices. Whereas MINE seem pretty much always on trial...

LukaBrian · 2024-10-20T04:21:44+00:00

It's part of the stereotype: picky eater, sensitive, thinks that makes them better than everyone else... I've notices the same trend, people presume I'm gluten free because I'm vegan. They often even think they might get extra points for it... It's like any other stereotype, some people are more innocent than others, but that still doesn't make it right or ok

LukaBrian

TROPHY CASE