The staring 'cult leader' charged with sex attacks on four followers
25.04.2023The self-styled leader of a wealthy spiritual community in western has been charged with sexually assaulting several of his followers after telling them a ‘spirit’ instructed him to engage in sexual activity with them, police in Edmonton have said.
John (Johannes) de Ruiter, 63, was arrested and charged on January 21 in four cases of sexual assault that allegedly occurred between 2017 and 2020, according to a police statement this week. His lawyer says he will ‘vigorously contest these charges in a court of law’.
For decades de Ruiter has run an organization called the College of Integrated Philosophy, also known as the Oasis Group — which some accuse of being a cult.
De Ruiter is known for his piercing stare which he levels at followers at lengthy meetings, and posts bizarre videos including one in which he asked the viewer whether they drink cappuccinos with their ‘mortal or immortal mind’.
John de Ruiter, 63, is a self-appointed spiritual leader who claims to have been ‘fully absorbed into what we are after we die’
He tells his followers on his website to expect a heavy cost in following his teachings: ‘Paying the cost for what you know is true means that regardless of how you are treated, regardless of what happens to you, you will not close or harden in
De Ruiter claims to have been ‘irrevocably changed’ at the age of 17 when he ‘was awakened, immersed, and fully absorbed into what we are after we die.’
His website, which explicitly denies the College is a cult, adds he exists to be ‘a resource for those who recognize and are given to the same.’
He holds regular meetings in person and online and has a sophisticated television and podcast output for which he charges a subscription fee.
The so-called spiritual leader is known for his icy stare with which he stares at followers during long minutes of reflection, and offers meetings and live streams for the faithful in Edmonton as well as ‘spiritual retreats.’
In photographs shared by his followers online, ‘seminars’ with de Ruiter can be seen with dozens of people in attendance — most of them women.
Many of his followers regularly share ‘inspirational quotes’ supposedly said by De Ruiter, along with videos and podcast excerpts.
All Zoom meetings with him cost $10 Canadian dollars per person viewing the stream, while a subscription to his TV and audio outputs costs $32 Canadian dollars per month.
The College of Integrated Philosophy describes its purpose as ‘to make John and his teachings available, furthering the evolution of human consciousness.’ The College is the organisation that runs events and meetings between de Ruiter and his followers.
Despite his arrest, De Ruiter’s own website still states he is planning on carrying out meetings with followers next week.Many take place in local venues in Edmonton, such as this one. His lawyer says he will ‘vigorously contest these charges in a court of law’
De Ruiter claims his sexual interactions with women outside of his marriage are not motivated by desire, but by ‘what is deeper in my being’
It offers no formal education or qualifications.
A statement from Edmonton Police said: ‘The accused informed certain female group members that he was directed by a spirit to engage in sexual activity with them.’
De Ruiter is said to have told the women that doing that would help them achieve ‘spiritual enlightenment’.
Authorities said they believe there could be other suspected victims and encouraged them to come forward and file a complaint.
Under a section of his site named ‘Controversies’, de Ruiter states: ‘John did not and does not use sex as a means of control or submission over any person.’
He also addresses claims he has had sex with multiple women outside of his marriage.
De Ruiter states he has had ‘consensual sexual relations with women beyond the traditional scope of marriage’, adding he does this only ‘according to a profound inner clarity.’
He claims his meetings with followers ‘opens us to the meaning of sexuality’ and that true sexuality is ‘deeper than ourselves’.
He claims attraction to another person is a ‘primary distraction’.
He adds: ‘I have moved in being with women other than my wife.This means being together physically and sexually.
‘It is independent of desire, and oriented to realization of what is deeper. Sexuality is so profoundly core to awakening, but in ways not known to convention.’
He claims he ‘invites’ women to enter into sexual relations with him, ‘[asking] nothing but that each finds a response that is deeply rested and true to their own clarity.’
De Ruiter said he does not ‘navigate’ these interactions based on the effect upon himself or others, instead claiming a ‘thread of pure knowing’ guides him.
He claims he ‘knew’ to pursue sexual relations with women ‘independent of desire’ due to ‘what is deeper than my being.’
He says this is ‘clearer than my entire existence’, and ‘it’s clearer and more real to me than physical reality.’
Spokeswoman Zaba Walker said: ‘Mr de Ruiter will be represented by legal counsel and intends to vigorously contest these charges in a court of law.
‘This situation is deeply impactful for those who know Mr de Ruiter.’
She told MailOnline: ‘John teaches that when you are gentled and quieted within you are naturally open and soft in your heart.
‘Living that way at any personal cost is the key to the fulfillment of our purpose for being here.’
De Ruiter reportedly has a bail hearing on Monday. According to his website, he still has events planned with followers this week in Edmonton.
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